Others might be so close that the relationship becomes unhealthy.
Both situations can contribute to developing what people call ‘daddy issues.
‘While people use this term often, ‘daddy issues’ are not an official mental health diagnosis.
Hispanolistic / Getty Images
You’ll also learn whether or not daddy issues can be treated.
Why Do Some People Have Daddy Issues?
When fathers are neglectful or abusive, this can cause their children to develop an insecure attachment style.
How Do Therapists Feel About the Term ‘Daddy Issues?’?
Others say its understood that all of us are affected by how we were parented.
Unhealthy parent-child relationships may instillmistrustand uncertainty, leading to daddy issues later in life.
What Causes Someone to Develop Daddy Issues?
The following are a few factors that can potentially play a role in the development of daddy issues.
It might also be that they resembled their father more than their siblings and were rewarded for it.
This could lead to the child being subjected tomental,emotional, andsexual abuse.
Having a close relationship with your father doesn’t necessarily lead to daddy issues.
Dads who are physically distant may also beemotionally distant.
An emotionally unavailable father also leaves substantial wounds.
Sexual Abuse
Young children are vulnerable and trust parents to set appropriate boundaries.
Sadly, adults sometimes cross those lines.
Sexual abuse creates complicated feelings in children.
But they are also in pain because of the abuse.
Children who are abused often blame themselves for what took place.
Childhood trauma, neglect, and sexual abuse can cause them to feel shame.
It also increases their risk ofdepressionandpost-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD).
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Below are a few signs to look for.
They may yearn for the missing love they never received, whether consciously or subconsciously.
Or they might seek an older male who is wealthy or flashy, confident, or seemingly in control.
The danger of arelationship with a vast age differencemay lie in a skewed power dynamic.
Dating a much older, more successful father figure might force someone into a more passive or victimized position.
One sign of an attachment issue is being overly anxious orjealous.
Someone with daddy issues may constantly be worried that the person theyre dating is seeing someone else.
Or they might imagine that someone is flirting with their partner.
This fear might take the form of requiring constant affection,constant attention, or constant approval.
Over time, this can take a toll on the relationship.
They might jump from one relationship to another because they’re afraid to be alone.
Conversely, increased time and involvement with a father in at-risk families dont contribute to a healthy dynamic.
Instead, it can increase adverse behavior problems, especially if the father is physically abusive.
Quality Time Is Essential
Spending lots of time with a father isnt always ideal.
Instead, having morequalitytime with a healthy father figure may be more critical.
Can ‘Daddy Issues’ Be Treated?
In short, yes.
A good therapist can help guide those struggling with this.
2018;27(2):494-504. doi:10.1007/s10826-017-0890-6
