The Prevalence Of Attachment Disorder In Adults
Attachment disorder in adults can stem from several different reasons, including unresolved attachment issues in childhood or trauma that may occur later in life. Understanding what attachment disorder is and possible contributing factors can result in validation for those who experience this mental health condition and can result in a more understanding and empathetic society.
Below, we’re exploring what attachment disorder is, the different manifestations one may experience and the role of therapy in supporting those who live with this condition.
What Is Attachment Disorder?
Attachment disorder can be diagnosed in children as young as or younger than the age of five. It can be the result of severe neglect, abuse or other childhood trauma that may impact a child's ability to form a secure attachment. Because of these issues and the subsequent manifestations of attachment disorder, a person may find it difficult or impossible to form and maintain secure relationships in adulthood.
What Causes Attachment Disorder?
There are many different possible contributing or causative factors to attachment disorder. Generally, children may develop an attachment disorder when they're unable to bond with a caregiver.
For example, a parent or caregiver may be unable to meet a child's needs for social interaction or affection. They may also be absent or classified as neglectful.
Alternatively, this condition can be more prevalent in those who experience displacement in their youth (I.e., in the case of foster care) or in homes with a high child-to-adult ratio.
What Can Attachment Disorder Cause?
Although attachment disorder (AD) is not usually diagnosed after age five, there's compelling evidence that untreated AD can lead to problems later in life. Reactive attachment disorder in adults can be linked to a higher likelihood of clinical depression and substance abuse. Plus, those living with AD may carry their injured attachment patterns with them into adulthood. As adults with AD may unwittingly recreate the problems of their family of origin, they can have the potential to pass their range of experiences along to their children.
Categories Of Insecure Attachment
While there are generally two categories of insecure attachment, we do want to note that everyone’s experience with attachment disorder can be deeply personal. Acknowledging this spectrum can result in validation for those living with the disorder and a higher prevalence of subsequent resources to support them. We’ve listed the two categories below, and the general characteristics of each
1. Anxious/Ambivalent Attachment Disorder
An adult experiencing anxious/ambivalent attachment disorder symptoms may feel over-involved and under-appreciated. This can result from a caregiver who ran "hot and cold," such as switching from warm affection to cold rejection for no apparent reason to the developing child.
This caregiver may even have been emotionally needy, only showing love when it advanced their interest and otherwise remaining self-involved. As a result, the anxious/ambivalent adult can be distrustful of relationships, but life for them may revolve around them, nonetheless.
They may analyze the behaviors of others obsessively, replaying the same things repeatedly. In addition, someone who is anxious/ambivalent may feel the need to be in control of every situation to avoid further feelings of nervousness or disconnection.
They may be sensitive to rejection or idealize others, which can lead to the potential for a preoccupation or dependence on their significant other.
Extreme emotions, or bouts of jealousy and possessiveness, may also be common experiences of the adult experiencing anxious/ambivalent attachment disorder.
2. Avoidant Attachment Disorder
The avoidant adult may have learned to detach from others in childhood when primary caregivers were distant, absent, or critical. The child may have done this out of the concern that they could not trust adults to meet their needs, which may have prompted them to learn how to shove those needs out of sight.
As a result, an adult experiencing avoidant attachment disorder may not express needs to others or ask them for help, and they may also feel contempt for others who do express their needs.
This type of manifestation can result in feelings of nervousness or intimacy in relationships or a negative view of others. Those with avoidant attachment disorder may view others as untrustworthy or undependable while viewing the self as "too good" for others. This can potentially be to defend oneself against perceived threats or dynamic instability.
Possible Symptoms Of Attachment Disorders
There are a wide range of psychological effects that attachment disorders can cause in both children and adults. These may include:
Feelings of isolation or being “closed off” to warmth and affection from others
Unable to acknowledge or process positive emotions, feelings of rigidity
Possible alcohol or drug use which may or may not lead to addiction
Feelings of numbness or a lack of ability to feel empathy
A possible lack of concern or respect for authority or rules
Possible feelings of distrust in others
Possible impulsivity
Attachment disorders can be diagnosed and treated during childhood. However, even if childhood AD has been left untreated, there is still hope for healing in adulthood or adolescence. Therapists can help someone struggling with AD to make peace with relational trauma and learn to open to others.
Seeking Treatment
One of the most effective ways to treat adult attachment issues is to help them come to terms with the painful and traumatic events of their past. Part of this work may consist of building a narrative that can explain potential reasons why these events may have occurred.
This can be an important step to healing, as children can derive their sense of self through their caregivers' perception of them. For example: If a parent has conveyed the story that they are innately flawed and unworthy of love, the child may be likely to believe this story and can carry it into adulthood, whether the parent meant to convey this intentionally or not.
Therefore, the therapeutic task of adulthood for many is to create a new story, so they can forgive their caregivers and understand their true worth. By evaluating the past hurt in this lens, those experiencing AD can choose to learn new patterns and behaviors that reflect this new understanding by building social skills and trust in others — such as learning how to communicate honestly and openly with partners and other people in their lives.
It's also worth noting that, during treatment, medication may be used in situations where patients are experiencing comorbid depression and anxiety disorder(s), which can be common for those with any attachment disorder.
What Does The DSM-5 Say About Attachment Disorder?
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) specifically recognizes Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) at the time of this publication, which can support many experiencing symptoms to seek the help they may need. At a future point in time, the DSM-5 may expand to recognize different subtypes or manifestations of AD to validate the experiences of a broader population.
How Can Online Therapy Support Those With Attachment Disorder?
If you’re experiencing symptoms of attachment disorder, online therapy may be a helpful resource. Licensed therapists can work with you in the comfort of your own home or another safe space to address childhood trauma, support you in building coping skills and help you learn to reframe negative thought patterns so that you may experience a higher quality of life. BetterHelp can be a resource to help to connect you with licensed therapists.
Is Online Therapy Clinically Effective For Those With Attachment Disorder?
The presentation of therapy has varied across the past few decades. This may leave many wonderings how clinically efficient this form of delivery can be for those living with attachment disorder. Recent literature suggests that singular and family therapy sessions can be comparably effective when done virtually compared to more traditional, in-person formats. This specific study also noted possible benefits of affordability, accessibility, and inclusivity to those who are experiencing financial or family distress.
Takeaway
The experience of attachment disorder can cause disruptions in both youth and adulthood. Early intervention can be helpful to preserve and repair damage caused by experiences that may have led to the formation of attachment disorder. Even if you've been struggling with attachment disorder for most of your life, reaching a higher quality of life can be possible with the help of a licensed therapist or other forms of supportive intervention.
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Conclusion
Even if you've been struggling with attachment disorder for most of your life, it's never too late to seek help. With the support of friends, family, and a therapist who cares, you can overcome these struggles and learn to form healthier, stronger bonds with the people who are important to you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the symptoms of attachment disorder?
Signs and symptoms of reactive attachment disorder include looking sad, being afraid for no apparent reason, not smiling, not asking for help, even if you need it, and having no interest in playing games or wanting to be picked up. These symptoms are mostly found in infants and young children, and when left untreated, it can lead to behavior problems later on in life. Keep in mind that some of these symptoms may be present in early childhood if a child is experiencing autism spectrum disorder as well. This is one of the main reasons to get your child checked out if you see any of the symptoms above, so you will be aware of if they have reactive attachment disorder, or something else. You can check out theAcademy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry for more information on reactive attachment disorder and how attachment disorder should be treated in children.
What are the signs of attachment disorder in adults?
When an adult is experiencing an attachment disorder or reactive attachment disorder, they may exhibit symptoms such as withdrawing from people, needing to be in control, not feeling like they belong, unable to feel certain emotions, issues with anger, and can be unable to have relationships. If you are an adult that has these symptoms, you can still seek treatment for this type of attachment disorder. You mightbenefit from family therapy, if your parents are the reason that you developed this type of reactive attachment. There are certain risk factors for young children that you should take note of if you think you or someone you love may be experiencing reactive attachment disorder. These factors include if your mother had postpartum depression after she gave birth to you, experiencing neglect, growing up in poverty, having to grow up in foster care, or going through abuse as a young child. Any of these aspects makes it more likely that infants and young children can develop symptoms of reactive attachment, which may not go away easily. The Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry has information on causes and treatments for reactive attachment disorder, so you will know where to begin to get treatment for kids. For adults, you can consider talking to a therapist about the issues you are affected by concerning attachment disorder.
What are the types of attachment disorders?
There are two types of attachment disorders, reactive attachment disorder, and disinhibited social engagement disorder. Either of these disorders can develop in early childhood. With reactive attachment disorder, children may become withdrawn from their parents or caregivers and will not ask for help or want to be comforted. With disinhibited social engagement disorder, a child may be too friendly with a stranger, including walking up to them or hugging them. They may also wander off. When you notice your child exhibiting symptoms of either of these attachment disorders, you may want to think about their future mental health. You might need to take your child to get help through child adolescent psychiatry, which is a special type of psychiatrist that treats children with attachment disorders, spectrum disorders, and other mental issues. You can also check out the Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry website for solutions to treating reactive attachment disorder.
How do you treat attachment disorder?
Attachment disorders are treated with psychotherapy, in young children or in adults. Different techniques are used for different age groups. Even if a person experiences reactive attachment disorder as a child and doesn’t seek treatment for it, they can still see positive changes to their mental health when they participate in therapy for attachment disorder. In other words, it is possible to see an improvement in the symptoms of reactive attachment disorder, regardless of when you reach out for treatment.
What are the 4 attachment styles?
The 4 attachment systems present in children are secure, anxiousresistant, anxious avoidant, and disorganized. With secure attachment, a child will be upset when a parent leaves and won’t want to look at other adults. This is not considered to be an attachment disorder. Anxious resistant is a type of insecure attachment that involves a child being upset when a parent leaves and not wanting to have anything to do with them when they get back. Anxious avoidant attachment means a child will not want to be around adults and won’t ask for help or to be held. They will feel like no one cares about their needs. Finally, disorganized children will become upset when a parent leaves and continue to be upset when parents or caregivers return. With disorganized attachment, a child may refuse eye contact with their parents. You can read more about attachment disorders and how they make children feel by looking at articles at the website for American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. They have resource available when it comes to treatment for attachment disorder and other related topics.
What does insecure attachment look like?
Children with reactive attachment disorder that have an insecure attachment will either be upset when parents leave and stay upset when they see them again. They may also not really care when their parent leaves and avoid them when they come back. These children will not reach out or make eye contact with their mothers when they see them. If your child needs treatment for this type of attachment disorder, you should investigate adolescent psychiatry, to find a doctor to offer support. Keep in mind that reactive attachment disorder is unlikely to get better unless a person gets treatment for it.
What does insecure attachment look like in adults?
There are multiple types of insecure attachment when it comes to reactive attachment disorder. If an adult experiences avoidant attachment, they will have a problem having relationships with others. With ambivalent attachment, an adult may also have trouble in relationships, where they will have anxiety no matter what. This can lead to the development of other types of mental health issues that must be addressed as well. With disorganized attachment, an adult will not really know how to act around people they care about. They might be clingy or shut themselves off from others. When you feel like your child may be experiencing reactive attachment disorder, you can look at resources related to child adolescent psychiatry in your area, to see what is available. The Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry can also provide you with details related to attachment disorder if you are interested in learning more.
What causes attachment disorders?
According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, the causes of attachment disorder aren’t always clear. However, they are thought to be caused by possible abuse, neglect, or a child being taken away from their parents. Attachment disorder may also stem from not being properly cared for as a baby. Children with rad, or reactive attachment disorder, may have not had their needs met in the right ways. With reactive attachment disorder, young children will not want to interact with adults, and with disinhibited social engagement disorder, they may be too friendly around adults, even strangers. Either of these attachment disorders needs to be looked into by a professional, so that a child can get the treatment they require to form secure attachments to others. The same goes for adults that are experiencing an attachment disorder.
Can you recover from attachment disorder?
You can recover from attachment disorder, regardless of your age. At the same time, attachment disorders are unlikely to go away on their own. They will need to be treated by a therapist or psychiatrist. You can get more information about treatment options by reading the website of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, where they provide details on how to treat a mental health disorder reactive attachment disorder, and other issues that may affect a young child. Be sure to read their privacy policy when you look at their site, since their rights reserved may have specific details you need to know as well.
What is attachment anxiety?
Attachment anxiety is another way to express how you feel when you might be experiencing attachment disorder. Again, if you have signs and symptoms of attachment disorders, you may have reactive attachment disorder and not simply be anxious about your relationships, especially if you have felt anxious for years. Reactive attachment disorder, or attachment disorder in general, can start as a young child and when left untreated, can continue to affect you as an adult. However, there are treatment options for you to take advantage of if you want them. You may want to look into the symptoms of rad to see if they remind you of yourself. Then you can determine what your next step will be. You can lessen symptoms of attachment disorder with the proper therapy.
What is attachment trauma?
Attachment trauma is a possible reason that someone may develop reactive attachment disorder. It refers to trauma that a child has experienced that may cause them to not trust adults or be unable to build relationships This type of trauma can happen because of neglect, abuse, or because they have a series of different caregivers at a young age. However, attachment disorder can be treated at any age, which can be beneficial when you think that you may have reactive attachment disorder. The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry has articles you can read about this attachment disorder, so you can be informed on the subject as much as possible. You should not ignore the signs of reactive attachment disorder, since they are unlikely to go away on their own. Attachment disorder is a condition that must be treated, in order to see relief.
Do Avoidants fall in love?
Avoidants, along with those that experience other types of attachment disorder are able to fall in love. Someone who exhibits the avoidant attachment style of reactive attachment disorder may not notice right away that they love someone, but as a person comes around that they are comfortable with, they may begin to notice that they can be vulnerable around this person and trust them, even though they are not perfect. The person they fall in love with will generally love them regardless of their avoidant attachment disorder and be able to accommodate them.
How do you know if you have anxious attachment?
There are a few signs and symptoms to be aware of, when you are wondering if you have anxious attachment disorder in relation to reactive attachment disorder. When it comes to relationships, you may be impulsive, you may give too much without getting back much, you might feel dependent on your partner, you could experience low self-esteem and feel like you are unworthy of love. If you are affected by reactive attachment disorder, you can benefit from treatment at any stage of your life. Attachment disorder is treatable, even as an adult.
Is narcissism an attachment disorder?
Narcissism is not considered to be an attachment disorder, but if someone experiences reactive attachment disorder, they may also develop narcissism, in some cases. Some of the symptoms associated with narcissism may have affected a person as a result of an attachment disorder in their early life. Anyone that feels that they have reactive attachment disorder or narcissism and wants to get therapy for these mental illnesses should seek out help. There is help out there for attachment disorder and narcissism.
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