When a child grows up with insecure attachment, it can significantly affect their ability to trust others, regulate emotions, and form healthy relationships as an adult. They may also struggle with comorbid mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, or eating disorders. Fortunately, with time and proper treatment, it is possible for adults to build positive relationships and overcome the effects of childhood trauma.
A secure attachment is the process by which a young child bonds with a parent or caregiver to learn how to love and trust others, recognize their own feelings and needs, and establish self-esteem. This process is essential for a healthy emotional life and development. Unfortunately, insecure attachments can arise when a child doesn’t receive this warm and consistent connection with a caretaker. They often learn that the world is unsafe, even when they are in safe hands, and that they cannot depend on anyone to meet their needs.
There are several different types of insecure what attachment disorders are, and each has its own symptoms. Reactive attachment disorder, for example, is most common in children who don’t form healthy emotional connections with their primary caretakers due to emotional neglect or abuse. Kids with this condition may feel fearful of their caretakers or act withdrawn, even when the caretakers are loving and caring. They are also prone to mood swings and may show aggressive behavior.
RAD can also be seen in children who have experienced multiple traumatic losses, like many moves between caretakers or living arrangements, or who have been exposed to domestic violence and/or substance abuse. It can also be caused by maternal depression during pregnancy or postnatally, which can impact the bond between mother and baby.
Insecure attachments in adults are not as common, but they can still have a significant impact on an individual’s well-being. People with insecure attachment styles may have a difficult time forming romantic relationships and may exhibit ambivalence or avoidance in their interactions. They may also display high levels of anxiety in their relationships, and they might need constant reassurance or push their partners away to prevent them from getting too close.
Adults with attachment issues can seek mental health treatment, and therapists will help them uncover their difficult emotions through talk therapy. They may also work to develop social skills and practice new coping mechanisms. If the person has a co-occurring psychiatric condition, such as depression or anxiety disorders, those will also be treated in order to improve their overall quality of life.
A doctor can diagnose an attachment disorder by conducting a physical exam and running lab tests to rule out other medical reasons for the symptoms. They may also use a psychiatric assessment that includes questions about past experiences and observations of the patient interacting with family members or other caretakers. A therapist may also recommend a combination of treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy, in which the therapist helps a client to become aware of their negative thoughts and beliefs, so they can change them. They may also prescribe medicines, such as sedatives, to reduce anxiety and make it easier to tolerate stressors.