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Attachment disorder is a sad and unfortunate truth of today. However, adults everywhere can–and have a responsibility to–address the disorder and prevent it from occuring.
Humans naturally form attachments. We make friends, we form relationships with family members, lovers, co-workers, almost everyone around us. Babies especially need relationships, so they can develop trust and attachment. When a baby cries, someone addresses its need: changing a diaper, feeding it, moving it from an uncomfortable position. However, if a baby’s need is not met, the baby continues in a state of unhappiness and rage develops instead of a trusting relationship. The baby will mature into a child without ever having formed a meaningful relationship and will distrust those around them.
Attachment disorder only develops if a child’s needs are unmet. Paying close attention to a baby is extremely important and addressing its needs is a calling that everyone shares. This of course does not mean pandering to a child all their life. By the time a child enters their second year, limits can be set; parents can say “no.” The child will accept this limit, test it, or perhaps defy it, but this is natural for the child and is part of their growing and learning.
Babies cannot do anything for themselves. For them to grow up healthy and happy, adults must do everything for them for the first years of their lives. Without this kind and loving care, attachment disorder will rear its ugly head more and more.
