Verywell / Marina Li
What Are Attachment Issues?
These conditions usually begin in early childhood, but attachment issues may also persist into adulthood.
Adults with insecure attachment styles may express avoidance or ambivalence in relationships or behave in disorganized or inconsistent ways.
Verywell / Marina Li
Most infantsdevelop secure emotional attachmentsto their caregivers at an early age.
They show healthy anxiety when their caregiver is absent, and they show relief when theyre reunited.
Some infants develop attachment disorders because their caregivers do not meet their needs.
Secure vs.
Secure Attachments
Repeated positive experiences with a caregiver help infants develop a secure attachment.
Children who are securely attached tend to form better relationships with others and solve problems more readily.
They are willing to try new things and explore independently and have less extreme responses to stress.
Insecure Attachments
Infants who experience negative or unpredictable responses from a caregiver may develop an insecure attachment style.
They may see adults as unreliable and they may not trust them easily.
Children with insecure attachments may avoid people, exaggerate distress, and show anger, fear, and anxiety.
They may refuse to engage with others.
Attachment disorders are treatable, but early intervention is important.
Without treatment, children with attachment disorders may experience ongoing issues throughout the course of their lives.
What Are Signs of Attachment Issues in Adults?
While more research is needed, adults with attachment issues may struggle to form romantic relationships.
They may struggle to trust others or express a great deal of anxiety in their relationships.
They may need constant reassurance or push their partners away to avoid getting too attached.
The DSM-5-TR does not recognize attachment disorders in adults.
They can provide an accurate diagnosis and recommend treatment options that can help.
Mindful Moment
Need a breather?
Some children develop attachment disorders while others living in the same environment dont.
Attachment disorders are fairly rare in the general population.
They are at a higher risk of developing legal issues during adolescence as well.
Theyre also more likely to have psychiatric disorders.
Link to Personality Disorders in Adulthood
Children dont grow out of attachment disorders on their own.
Attachment disorders may also be linked to psychopathic traits.
A 2018 study found that children with attachment disorders were more likely to exhibit callous and unemotional traits.
These conditions are often recognized around a childs first birthday.
The earliest warning signs often include failure to thrive or disinterest in interacting.
Most children with reactive attachment disorder display a variety of behaviors.
They tend to push their caregivers away, and their behavior problems often repel those around them.
They usually require intensive ongoing treatment.
Treatment typically involves:
Mental health treatment that involves caregivers can help children learn to develop more secure attachments.
Comorbid conditions should also be treated.
In addition to seeking appropriate professional treatment, caregivers can help by being patient and having realistic expectations.
Psychotherapy can help you explore some of these issues in greater depth.
The earlier the intervention, the more likely a child is to experience a good outcome.
Children with attachment issues require special attention.
Learning how to respond appropriately can help your child form a healthier, more secure bond with caregivers.
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP).Attachment disorders.
2018;43:45-55. doi:10.1016/j.avb.2018.09.002
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed.
Washington D.C.: 2013.
2015;56(3):207-22. doi:10.1111/jcpp.12347
