Attachment Disorders

INSECURE ATTACHMENT AND REACTIVE ATTACHMENT DISORDER (RAD) Confusing, frightening and isolating emotional experiences early in life create insecure attachment and can result in severe attachment disorders. Attachment disorders can limit a child’s  ability to be emotionally stable, flexible and able to communicate in ways that build meaningful relationships.

Insecure attachment and attachment disorders If secure attachment doesn’t occur a child won’t have the experiences they need to grow up feeling confidence in themselves and trust in others.

Insecure attachments may lead to attachment disorders Insecure attachments may lead to attachment disorders. These disorders may be reflected in: learning, social, mental problems and failed relationships.

Avoidant attachment When a parent is emotionally unavailable or rejecting, a child may become “avoidantly” attached, meaning that the child adapts by avoiding closeness and emotional connection. This child may appear to be very independent but their self reliance is a cover for insecurity.

Ambivalent attachment An “ambivalently” attached child experiences the parents as being inconsistent. Because the child can’t depend on the parent for communication and connection, he develops a sense of anxiety and feelings of insecurity.

Disorganized attachment When the child’s need for emotional closeness is ignored, and the parent’s behavior causes fear. When children have experiences with parents that leave them overwhelmed, traumatized, and frightened, they become disorganized and chaotic.

The major causes of attachment disorders neglect, including emotional neglect abuse, physical or sexual separation from primary caregiver changes in primary caregiver traumatic experiences such as death of parent or disaster maternal depression maternal use of drugs or alcohol undiagnosed, isolating painful illness such as colic or ear infections

Symptoms of insecure attachment Emotional Problems:low self-esteem; needy, clingy behavior; inability to deal with stress; depression; apathy Physical problems: susceptibility to chronic illness; obsession with food - hordes, gorges, refuses to eat, eats strange things, hides food Social Problems: lack of self-control; inability to develop and maintain friendships; aggression and violence; difficulty with trust, intimacy, and affection; lack of empathy, compassion and remorse; negative view of self, family and society Learning problems: behavioral problems at school; speech and language problems; difficulty learning

How is inadequate attachment repaired Recent studies show that it’s never too late to create positive change in a child’s life. New (positive bonding) experiences can change the brain Relationships with relatives, teachers and childcare providers can supply an important source of connection and strength for the child’s developing mind.