394. What is the pursuer-distancer relationship dynamic?

When one person tries to get closer to someone else, and the other person pulls away in response, they might be experiencing a pursuer-distancer dynamic. This can create a very painful cycle, where communication breaks down, each side blames the other, and ultimately, nobody has their needs met. In this episode, we explore the stages of a pursuer-distancer cycle, unpack why we’re drawn to relationships like this, and learn how to break the cycle so we can enjoy more happy, fulfilled relationships. We explore:  What the pursuer-distancer dynamic looks like The psychology of why romantic opposites ‘attract’ What’s going on in the mind or a pursuer and distancer Pursuer-distancer burnout - and when the pursuer final quits... How we can heal a pursuer-distancer cycle Can pursuer-distancer dynamics work in our 20s? A note that this episode contains content about abusive relationships. Listen now! ORDER MY BOOK: https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/copy-of-book  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbegFollow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcastFor business: [email protected]  The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.