Clinging
An excessive need for closeness, reassurance, or physical presence from an attachment figure, often driven by fear of abandonment or separation anxiety. May be a normal developmental phase or a symptom of attachment disruption in adults.
Quick answer
Clinging (ICD-10: F93.0; ICD-11: 6B05) is associated with separation anxiety disorder and anxious attachment. Graduated exposure and CBT have the strongest evidence for children and adults. DBT addresses attachment-driven clinging in BPD. Circle of Security has evidence for building secure attachment in children.
Recognition
Do any of these feel familiar?
Intense distress when separated from a key person
Following the attachment figure from room to room
Difficulty settling without the presence of a specific person
Excessive reassurance-seeking about the relationship
Fear that something bad will happen to oneself or the attachment figure during separation
What is Clinging?
An excessive need for closeness, reassurance, or physical presence from an attachment figure, often driven by fear of abandonment or separation anxiety. May be a normal developmental phase or a symptom of attachment disruption in adults.
Approaches Commonly Explored
Commonly explored for conditions related to Clinging, grouped by mechanism — select your subtype above to highlight the most relevant path.
How to use these approaches
Most people begin with Stabilise approaches, then progress toward Resolve and Sustain.
Cognitive patterns, emotional processing, and stress response.
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