Attachment Disorder Background

There are numerous different types of attachment disorders, most of which stem from negative childhood relationships with parents and caregivers. If these serious psychological and emotional conditions are left untreated, they may continue to worsen as an individual heals. An attachment disorder will rarely disappear without the proper treatment. Treatment is necessary to ensure that an individual is able to establish healthy relationships during adulthood.

Attachment Disorder in Children

Attachment disorders generally develop when an individual is an infant or a young child, as a result of his/her inability to form meaningful emotional connections with his/her parents or caregivers. This often results when the child is exposed to neglect, physical violence, and emotional abuse, among other possible causes. However, it is possible for these disorders to result from less severe causes. In many instances, it is the behavior of the parents or caregiver who are responsible for these disorders.

Attachment Theory

Attachment theory is an important psychological theory that explains the adverse affects of an infant's inability to become attached to a primary caregiver. It is essential for infants to form strong bonds with caregivers, usually his/her parents, as this permits normal emotional and social development. Without these attachments, a child will likely suffer from an attachment disorder, which can have severe consequences on his/her future relationships.

Attachment Parenting

Attachment parenting, a style of parenting based upon the various aspects of attachment theory, is frequently employed in an attempt to establish strong emotional bonds between infants and their parents. This connection is essential to avoid the development of an attachment disorder. There are eight primary principles outlined, which parents should adhere to in order to achieve attachment parenting. Though there has been much criticism regarding this parenting style, many parents choose to partake in this method.

Adoption

Although an attachment disorder can develop in a child from an social or economic situation, these psychological conditions are frequently present in children who have been placed in a foster care system, or with a private adoption agency. As a result of abandonment, abuse, and neglect, these children were unable to form healthy emotional attachments as infants. The constant relocation commonly associated with the foster care system does not assist in combating an attachment disorder.