Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes of Attachment Disorder in ChildhoodEffects of Attachment Disorder Into AdulthoodWhat Causes Attachment Disorder?What Helps Children With Attachment Disorder?Coping Through Attachment Disorder as an AdultAttachment Disorder ResourcesSpecialists to See for an Attachment Disorder
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types of Attachment Disorder in Childhood
Effects of Attachment Disorder Into Adulthood
What Causes Attachment Disorder?
What Helps Children With Attachment Disorder?
Coping Through Attachment Disorder as an Adult
Attachment Disorder Resources
Specialists to See for an Attachment Disorder
Attachment disorders are psychiatric conditions that can develop in early childhood and may have lasting impacts into adulthood. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) lists two types of attachment disorders:reactive attachment disorder (RAD)and disinhibited social engagement disorder (DSED).
Symptoms of attachment disorders often show up in early childhood. Though symptoms differ between the two types of attachment disorders, they share an overarching theme of attachment issues with others, especially with that of a primary caregiver, such as a parent. For example, a child with DSED may be willing to approach strangers without fear and lack appropriate social and physical boundaries around unknown adults.
The exact cause of attachment disorders isn’t known, but inadequate caregiving, such as from living in foster care or a similar institution, is thought to play a significant role.
This article talks about the different types of attachment disorders, risk factors for developing an attachment disorder, and coping with its lasting effects as an adult.
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Attachment disorders are psychiatric disorders that require a healthcare provider’s or mental health professional’s evaluation to diagnose. The DSM-5 recognizes two types of attachment disorders in children:
Symptoms of RAD in young children may include:
Symptoms of DSED may include:
Living with an attachment disorder may cause one to feel emotionally or socially out of touch. Children with attachment disorders may also experience emotional symptoms like depression and anxiety as well as behavioral symptoms like those ofconduct disorder,oppositional defiant disorder, orattention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
RAD and Autism Spectrum DisorderResearch has suggested that children with RAD are more likely to have other conditions as well, such asautism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, andpost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Key similarities between RAD and ASD, such as a lack of social reciprocity, have led some researchers to investigate whether there is some overlap. However, research has shown that RAD and ASD are mutually exclusive due to some key differences, such as the fact that, unlike ASD, RAD is not associated with atypical language development. And unlike RAD, children with ASD do show focused attachment.
RAD and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Research has suggested that children with RAD are more likely to have other conditions as well, such asautism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, andpost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Key similarities between RAD and ASD, such as a lack of social reciprocity, have led some researchers to investigate whether there is some overlap. However, research has shown that RAD and ASD are mutually exclusive due to some key differences, such as the fact that, unlike ASD, RAD is not associated with atypical language development. And unlike RAD, children with ASD do show focused attachment.
The social, emotional, and physical problems of attachment disorders can persist into adulthood.Most research on attachment disorders is around young children and adolescents, thus more research on how attachment disorders affect adults is necessary. However, because attachment disorders affect social boundaries and how one relates to others, adults with a history of attachment disorder may experience difficulties with boundaries or creating emotional bonds with others.
People may have attachment issues for a variety of reasons. In severe, rare cases, attachment issues may stem from an attachment disorder, which can go undiagnosed.
Though there is no known single cause of attachment disorders, inadequate caregiving is thought to play a role in the development of one.Inadequate caregiving may stem from foster care, orphanages or similar institutions, or parents who were struggling with physical or mental illness.
In addition, the following childhood experiences are considered risk factors for an attachment disorder:
Childhood Trauma and Attachment Disorders
What Is the Link Between Attachment Disorder and Attachment Theory?
Though attachment theory and attachment disorders both describe how one relates to others, they are two different things.
Attachment theory assumes that a child’s early experiences of caregiving (such as from a parent or other primary caregiver) affect how they perceive themselves and others.These mental models for self and others impact a child’s behavior and future relationships. They also affect how one perceives themselves in relation to others. Attachment theory poses four differentattachment styles: secure, avoidant, ambivalent, and disorganized attachment.
Though it may seem like attachment disorders would impact attachment styles, research has shown that attachment styles are not significantly associated with attachment disorders. For example, one study found that children with attachment disorders exhibited a range of attachment styles, which were fairly balanced across the different types.In other words, children with attachment disorders didn’t show one particular attachment style over another.
Treatment for children with attachment disorders often involves the child and their family or caregiver, with the goal of improving the child’s social and emotional development. A therapist will aim to understand the relationship between the child and their main caregiver and work with the child and caregiver to strengthen their relationship.
Similarly, research has shown that enhanced caregiving reduces symptoms of DSED for some children, though more therapeutic approaches may be necessary to keep symptoms from coming back.More research on how much enhanced caregiving can help with social and behavioral issues over the long term is also necessary.
Having a history of an attachment disorder or an attachment disorder that persists into adulthood can be painful and significantly affect one’s quality of life given that relationships—with family, friends, or intimate partners—are part of daily life.
Because attachment disorders may have stemmed from inadequate caregiving during childhood, seeing how one can cope with them as an adult many years later can be difficult. However, people can work on attachment even in adulthood, andpsychotherapymay help. Keep in mind that changes in behaviors that were learned or developed due to inadequate caregiving may take time, and having patience and understanding with yourself is important.
If you think you or your child may have an attachment disorder, you’re not alone and help is available. Reach out to a healthcare provider to talk about your or your child’s symptoms and any concerns about attachment issues. They may refer you to a mental health provider for an evaluation and specialized treatment plan to help you and/or your child through their attachment issues to improve emotional and social well-being.
Diagnosis Is the Key to Appropriate TreatmentGetting an official diagnosis is important to receive appropriate treatment for an attachment disorder. See a healthcare provider or mental health provider for an evaluation of symptoms before jumping to conclusions about a diagnosis. If and when you have a diagnosis, getting help to manage symptoms will not be far behind.
Diagnosis Is the Key to Appropriate Treatment
Getting an official diagnosis is important to receive appropriate treatment for an attachment disorder. See a healthcare provider or mental health provider for an evaluation of symptoms before jumping to conclusions about a diagnosis. If and when you have a diagnosis, getting help to manage symptoms will not be far behind.
There are many mental health providers who can treat attachment disorders, such as psychologists, marriage and family therapists, social workers, and other licensed mental health providers. Mental health providers often list the types of mental health issues they specialize in, and you can check to see if attachment issues are among them.
When looking for a mental health provider, keep in mind that finding one with whom you feel comfortable may take some trial and error. Finding a therapist that both specializes in attachment issues and makes opening up feel safe is important for getting the most out of therapy.
Summary
Attachment disorders usually develop in early childhood and may have lasting impacts into adulthood. Symptoms of attachment disorders in children may include withdrawn or inhibited behavior toward a caregiver or a lack of wariness or boundaries with strangers. The exact cause of attachment disorders is unknown, but inadequate caregiving during childhood is thought to play a major role. It’s important to seek help from a mental health provider for attachment disorder treatment to improve your emotional and social well-being.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Irfan N, Nair A, Bhaskaran J, et al.Review of the current knowledge of reactive attachment disorder.Cureus. 2022;14(11):e31318. doi:10.7759/cureus.31318Zeanah CH, Gleason MM.Annual research review: attachment disorders in early childhood—clinical presentation, causes, correlates, and treatment.J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2015;56(3):207-222. doi:10.1111/jcpp.12347Seim AR, Jozefiak T, Wichstrøm L, et al.Reactive attachment disorder and disinhibited social engagement disorder in adolescence: co-occurring psychopathology and psychosocial problems.Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2022;31(1):85-98. doi:10.1007/s00787-020-01673-7American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.Attachment disorders.Schröder M, Lüdtke J, Fux E, et al.Attachment disorder and attachment theory—two sides of one medal or two different coins?Comprehensive Psychiatry. 2019;95:152139. doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2019.152139
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Irfan N, Nair A, Bhaskaran J, et al.Review of the current knowledge of reactive attachment disorder.Cureus. 2022;14(11):e31318. doi:10.7759/cureus.31318Zeanah CH, Gleason MM.Annual research review: attachment disorders in early childhood—clinical presentation, causes, correlates, and treatment.J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2015;56(3):207-222. doi:10.1111/jcpp.12347Seim AR, Jozefiak T, Wichstrøm L, et al.Reactive attachment disorder and disinhibited social engagement disorder in adolescence: co-occurring psychopathology and psychosocial problems.Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2022;31(1):85-98. doi:10.1007/s00787-020-01673-7American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.Attachment disorders.Schröder M, Lüdtke J, Fux E, et al.Attachment disorder and attachment theory—two sides of one medal or two different coins?Comprehensive Psychiatry. 2019;95:152139. doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2019.152139
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Irfan N, Nair A, Bhaskaran J, et al.Review of the current knowledge of reactive attachment disorder.Cureus. 2022;14(11):e31318. doi:10.7759/cureus.31318Zeanah CH, Gleason MM.Annual research review: attachment disorders in early childhood—clinical presentation, causes, correlates, and treatment.J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2015;56(3):207-222. doi:10.1111/jcpp.12347Seim AR, Jozefiak T, Wichstrøm L, et al.Reactive attachment disorder and disinhibited social engagement disorder in adolescence: co-occurring psychopathology and psychosocial problems.Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2022;31(1):85-98. doi:10.1007/s00787-020-01673-7American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.Attachment disorders.Schröder M, Lüdtke J, Fux E, et al.Attachment disorder and attachment theory—two sides of one medal or two different coins?Comprehensive Psychiatry. 2019;95:152139. doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2019.152139
Irfan N, Nair A, Bhaskaran J, et al.Review of the current knowledge of reactive attachment disorder.Cureus. 2022;14(11):e31318. doi:10.7759/cureus.31318
Zeanah CH, Gleason MM.Annual research review: attachment disorders in early childhood—clinical presentation, causes, correlates, and treatment.J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2015;56(3):207-222. doi:10.1111/jcpp.12347
Seim AR, Jozefiak T, Wichstrøm L, et al.Reactive attachment disorder and disinhibited social engagement disorder in adolescence: co-occurring psychopathology and psychosocial problems.Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2022;31(1):85-98. doi:10.1007/s00787-020-01673-7
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.Attachment disorders.
Schröder M, Lüdtke J, Fux E, et al.Attachment disorder and attachment theory—two sides of one medal or two different coins?Comprehensive Psychiatry. 2019;95:152139. doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2019.152139
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