10 Signs A Man Is Emotionally Attached To You

Sometimes, even when your partner is willing to go to the moon and back for you, it can be hard to tell from the outside. Not everyone shows affection or love the same way, and this can be true for people of any gender(s). However, it may be more likely for men to mask their emotional attachment due to social pressures to appear tough or strong. So, how do you know if a man is emotionally attached to you? The best way to know how your partner feels is likely to simply ask them. But it can also be helpful to look out for more subtle signs that your partner is emotionally attached to you, especially because learning to read another person’s love language can be an important part of long-term relationship satisfaction.

What is emotional attachment?

Emotional attachment doesn't necessarily happen overnight. In a healthy relationship, it can take a while to develop, and typically happens in stages. There are also different types of attachment that might manifest over time. 

The first main type is friend or platonic attachment. A man with this type of attachment may care about you deeply, but not in a romantic context. You might spend lots of time together, tell inside jokes, and get to know one another’s families and friends. 

Another type of attachment is physical attachment, which is usually based solely on looks and chemistry. People with this level of attachment might be attracted to each other or engage in physical intimacy and flirtation. But this is still distinct from feeling emotionally bonded to someone. 

Lastly, we have emotional attachment. This can grow between people who are not romantically involved, but it tends to be the most common in close, deep relationships where emotional intimacy is present. You may feel connected to your partner in a way that’s unique and exhilarating. You might discuss your vulnerabilities and talk about things like dreams, fears, and your futures together. 

10 signs a man is emotionally attached to you

On the whole, you can think of emotional attachment as a feeling of intimacy and closeness you feel towards a person that can transform casual acquaintances into meaningful relationships. This emotional attachment can make one feel cherished, loved, and happy. 

He goes above and beyond for you

When a man is emotionally attached to you, he'll likely do practically anything for you to show his feelings for you. He might, for instance, drive hours to see you or pick up your favorite dinner “just because." Maybe he'll fix that broken faucet or bring you your favorite snacks over and over and over again. And he may seem to never tire of wanting to please you; in fact, he probably looks forward to the next time he can help you. Need someone to talk to? A place to crash? Need to go to the store to buy stuff for dinner? He's probably there for you every single time, without fail.

He contacts you every chance he gets

Whether it's calling, texting, or messaging, you're probably going to receive a ton of communication from a man who’s emotionally attached to you. Why? Because you're likely constantly on his mind, and he may want nothing more than to hear your voice or receive a text or message back from you. 

He wants you to meet his friends and family

A man with a strong emotional connection might invite you to meet his personal friends and his family, and he may want to meet yours as well. This can be a good indicator that he sees you as long-term material. Getting to know the other people in your partner’s life can help you become a more significant part of it.

He likes spending time with you

He may not only like to spend time with you, but he might like spending a lot of time with you. Feeling attached at the hip can be one of the most obvious signs a man is attracted to you. He'll likely use his free time, which may usually be reserved for relaxation and hanging out with his friends or family, for spending time with you. You might find you've now become a priority to him when it comes to his relationships.

He remembers the important things

If a man cares about you, it’s likely he’ll remember important things about you. This can include important dates like your anniversary or birthday and other things, such as your favorite flowers or the dress you wore on your first date. 

He opens up and lets his guard down

Most men are brought up with the notion that expressing their feelings could be seen as unmanly. This harmful idea often results in men feeling unable or unequipped to discuss  how they feel and let themselves process emotions in a healthy way. 

However, if you are truly special to him, the man you are interested in might feel more comfortable opening up with his feelings and letting his guard down. This can be a huge sign of trust and willingness to connect with you on a deeper level. 

Of course, not all men have a hard time opening up, and anyone can find emotional vulnerability uncomfortable or scary. But in general, when a person you’re in a relationship with bares their true feelings to you, it’s usually a sign they care about you quite a bit.

He wants to commit to you

If the guy you're seeing is pushing for commitment, it may be a sign that he's emotionally attached, perhaps even to the point that he thinks you're the one for him. Commitment doesn’t have to mean marriage, though; it might mean moving in together, making things official, or deciding not to see other people.

He asks you for advice

If your partner is asking you for your advice and opinion, not only does he likely trust in your answer, but he also probably knows he can come to you for anything. Whether it's what tie he should wear to his job interview or what TV show he should watch next, your opinion is likely important to him, and asking your advice is yet another way he can try to include you in his life.

He sticks up for you

A man who is emotionally attached to a woman will often defend her, even if it means losing the close people in his life, like friends and family. 

He doesn't leave you when things go sour

People who stick around during times of stress, conflict, or other challenges tend to be those who care about us the most. A man who is not emotionally attached to you will might be more likely to leave you when the going gets tough, but a man who is will usually be there for you through thick and thin.

Warning signs of unhealthy emotional attachment

Just like there is such a thing as healthy emotional attachments, there is also unhealthy emotional attachment.  This often occurs when attachment becomes obsessive. 

Even though they might be hurting, people in unhealthy relationships may still continue the relationship. They might feel attached even if there is no love between them. Here are some warning signs of unhealthy emotional attachment:

• You can't be with the other person without panicking

• You fell in "love" within a couple of weeks

• You may experience some anxiety if you do not receive a text or a call back 

• You automatically think they've lost interest in you if they're not contacting you all the time

• You're jealous and suspicious of their activities

• You overthink everything they do

• You sacrifice your family, friends, and your hobbies for them, with no rationale for doing so

• Your friends tell you you're too attached

Seek professional help

Having a healthy emotional attachment is a positive and nurturing thing. But when the emotional attachment becomes an obsession or point of contention, it might be time to seek help.

A licensed therapist can offer both couples therapy and individual therapy as needed. Speaking to a therapist online can make it easy to avail of the care you need while saving time, money, and energy. You won’t have to spend hours driving to and from in-person treatment centers; you and your partner can join sessions right from the comfort of home.

Research shows that online couples therapy can be an effective tool for most couples. In fact, one study even showed that 95% of couples who engage in online couples counseling find it to be helpful. 

Takeaway

The signs of emotional attachment can be tricky to spot, but when you know what to look for, they’ll likely reveal themselves over time. If you feel your relationship could use some professional guidance, whether for emotional attachment reasons or something else, it might help to speak to a licensed therapist to learn more about what’s going on beneath the surface.