Attachment Disorder

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.

Filed Under: Disorders Tagged With: Attachment disorder, Child, Infant

Attachment Disorder in Adulthood

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Attachment is, as one author noted, “a deep and enriching connection between a child and caregiver in the first few years of life.” However, when the connection is missing, children often suffer from attachment disorder and the disorder often carries over into adulthood if unaddressed.

Children start dealing with attachment disorder during their most impressionable years. The develop feelings of detachment and are unable to trust others. These symptoms manifest as they grow to adulthood. As adults, these symptoms can be severe psychological disorder if not treated. Unresolved attachment issues from childhood make it difficult for adults to form secure and appropriate adult relationships. An adult suffering from attachment disorder bases his or her expectations of new relationships on their experiences in past relationships. There is also a significant correlation between between adults suffering from attachment disorder and marital problems.

While adults suffering from attachment disorder want love and affection, they are unable to express these feelings appropriately. These adults feel sadness for their inability to form lasting relationships and at the same time, are fearful of relationships because they do not trust others. Often, they can not even understand love and attachment, much less express these feelings.

Attachment disorder is transgenerational. If the behaviors that initiated or perpetuated the disorder continue, it passes from one generation to the next. The cycle must be broken in order to treat patients. Therapy in treating adult attachment disorder takes a long time, work and patience to bring the patient to the root issues and deal with them. The work is worth the reward because developing close relationships are normal, healthy and necessary for a happy life.

Filed Under: Disorders, Parents Tagged With: Attachment disorder, Child, Mental disorder

Attachment Disorder – A Risk in International Adoptions

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Adoption is an endearing way to begin or add to a family. While there are a number of avenues for adopting a child, one of the most often chosen paths is international adoption because of the serious need to find families for displaced children. International adoption has potential downsides – one of them is attachment disorder.

International adoptions are usually accomplished through orphanages. Teena McGuiness, an authority on adoption research, notes that one of the most difficult areas of adoption medicine is predicting the needs of children adopted from orphanages. She writes that “the chances of an institutionalized child being normal on arrival at home are zero.” This risk assessment comes from the fact that young children left in economically deprived countries orphanages for long periods will suffer from some form of attachment disorder because of a lack of stimulation and consistent care-giving.

Dr. E. Arnes takes a much dimmer view, noting that an international adoption “should be considered to be a special needs adoption.” He cites evaluations in which 20% of the institutionalized children had serious medical and emotional conditions.

Overview of the Post-Institutionalized Child, notes that “Environmental impoverishment leads to behavioral impoverishment” and goes on to say that 50 percent of post institutionalized children observed at three years old showed symptoms of inadequate personality development such as an inability to give or receive affection, inability to relate to themselves or others and sensory deprivation. The article points to early evaluation and therapy as a critical “window of opportunity” and suggests that international adopting parents should be prepared for the strong possibility that their adopted child will have attachment disorder issues

Filed Under: Disorders, Parents, Relationships Tagged With: Adoption, Attachment disorder, Child

Choosing Professional Help

The first step to treating Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) is to recognize the symptoms and then seek professional help.

This can be tricky though. If a child has a cold or a stomach ache, most likely any doctor who has a general family practice will be able to recognize the symptoms, diagnose the problem and prescribe treatment. Typically one does not have to be too picky when choosing a general physician.

In the case of Attachment Disorder though, finding the appropriate professional experts can be more challenging. Doctors and medical experts who treat such a disorder are not as wide-spread. Also due to the fact that the disorder is more abstract, involving the emotional and mental realms, and that there is not a simple, easy solution to this disorder, parents and caregivers need to be more discerning in their choice of professional help.

First off, seek recommendations from others. Personal testimonials of others who have similar challenges and have gone through the process of working with experts, will give you incomparable valuable information.

Secondly, set up an initial visit, and evaluate the experience with an open-mind. Although it may seem subjective, take into account the professional’s personality and its compatibility with your child’s personality. While the expert may be very well-versed in her field, she may not be able to interact with your child in a way that will be effective or produce the desired results.

Lastly, choose a professional that will work with you on approaches and methods to the disorder that will best help. Since attachment disorder is treated with a combination of remedies, find a doctor that is experienced in the methods that best suit your child.

Filed Under: General, Parents Tagged With: Attachment disorder, Reactive attachment disorder

Treating Attachment Disorder

Reactive attachment disorder can be a challenge that lasts a long time. Parents who are dealing with a child who has the symptoms of this disorder should seek professional help. Parents should educate themselves about the disorder to better understand what their child is going through.

Although it requires much patience and can be quite stressful, this disorder can be dealt with, so that the child can fully adjust. Parents need to realize there is not simple one-fits all treatment for curing this problem. Often a combination of counseling for both the child and sometimes the parents, medications to assist with side effect issues, and the education of all involved regarding the ins and outs of the disorder can help a family successfully deal with the issue. Parents should work hand-in-hand with medical experts in exploring options for treatment. They should also avoid any options that are not medically-sound as some unconventional treatments can actually result in adverse effects.

Some successful treatments involve one or more of the following:

1—specific medications tailored to treat depression or hyperactivity which are prevalent in children who suffer from attachment disorder

2—classes that teach parents appropriate skills and methods for how to best discipline and nurture their child

3—individual psychological therapy for the child to help him or her work through inner emotions and feelings; also counseling for parents to help them deal with the stress of a child’s challenging behavior

4—using services specifically for children with special needs

As parents consult with experts, evaluate their own child’s situation, and learn more about reactive attachment disorder, they will better be able to choose the best treatment combination to help their child in the healing process.

Filed Under: Disorders, Treatments Tagged With: Attachment disorder, Education, Parent

Why is my Child Angry?

Attachment disorder is common in children who have suffered trauma in their first relationships with a parent or a caregiver. A child could have been born in to a home where the parent was a drug addict and experienced abuse or neglect. The child’s parents may have died while he was still young, and then he was bounced around the foster care system.

Whatever the cause may be, the result is that the child, due to his initial relationships has suffered from feelings of mistrust, helplessness, and loneliness.

These emotional challenges can inhibit a child’s ability to form healthy relationships and connections in the future.

One of the more noticeable symptoms in older children suffering from attachment disorder is their bursts of anger, an argumentative attitude, and the child’s constant desire to be in control. These negative habits stem from the way the child was treated in his early years. If a child suffered abuse, he has often struggled with feelings of powerlessness. In his effort to avoid such feelings, he off-sets his situations by constantly trying to maintain control. This is his way of stabilizing his environment.

Those with attachment disorder also may have never learned how to properly display feelings. Their initial negative experiences have led them to resort to anger and tantrums as the best way to express feelings. They also may not have experienced that touch can be shown to mean sincere comfort and affection. Rather in the child’s mind, touch is associated with frustration and anger. If good affection was shown, the child does not completely trust the kind gesture because he may suspect that later on the abuse will be repeated.

If these symptoms are prevalent, it is essential for a parent or a care giver to seek professional help. With an expert opinion and the passage of time, a child can learn to overcome his past feelings and experiences.

Filed Under: Advacements, Parents Tagged With: Attachment disorder, Child abuse, Parent

The Symptoms of Attachment Disorder

Attachment Disorder is a syndrome in which a child lost that all important bonding time during the early part of their life. They did not learn to trust that someone would be there to protect them. Without that interaction with someone they trust, they have learned, mostly out of fear, in essence to take care of themselves. This is a big burden for a small child. There are many factors that can play a role in creating an attachment disorder. A baby born addicted to drugs may not be able to bond with the mother or other adults, their body is in such a state of addiction. Children who suffer abuse can have attachment disorders. Children who may be born ill, having to spend a lot of their early time in a hospital setting, instead of in their mother’s arms can have attachment disorder.

There are signs to look for if you suspect a child has an attachment disorder, and fortunately, there is help. A child with attachment disorder does not trust those around them. They lack self control, and do not realize there are consequences for their actions. They can be bossy children, controlling the situation around them makes them feel safer, as their fear is that they will not be able to control things. They can be defiant, argumentative and demanding. They easily throw temper tantrums, and will blame their behavior on others. They are typically under achievers, and have difficulty maintaining friendships.

There are treatment courses for Attachment Disorder, including therapy to help the child sort out their feelings and fears. While many of the above symptoms can apply to other behavioral diagnoses, such as Opposition Defiant Disorder or ADHD, even post traumatic stress disorder, recognizing the symptoms is the first step in getting the necessary help to figure out exactly what is going on with the child, thus preparing the proper course of treatment.

Filed Under: Disorders, Symptoms Tagged With: Attachment disorder, Child, Disorders

Parenting Children with Attachment Disorders

Attachment disorder is broadly defined as a child possessing difficulties in bonding and developing emotional connections with others, usually a parent or guardian figure. Many child development specialists have posited that attachment disorders may be caused by negative experiences in their early relationships, which may make a child feel abandoned, powerless and uncared for.

Attachment disorders in children can cause the child to have difficulty connecting to others, trusting others and managing their own emotions. A child with an attachment disorder usually displays anger, out of control behavior, difficulty showing emotions, does not want to be touched and does not show affection towards others.

Parenting children with an attachment disorder can be quite frustrating and exhausting. Children with an attachment disorder need to know that they are loved and cared for unconditionally. Remembering to remain calm and patient despite whatever behaviors or actions they display is key to establishing a solid foundation for the child.

Tips for parenting a child with an attachment disorder include having realistic exceptions, understanding that it will be a long journey ahead, keeping a sense of humor, remembering to be happy and have fun with your child, manage stress and remember to take care of yourself, find a support group or counselor to talk to and finally, be positive that change is and will occur. Other parents have gone through this and had positive outcomes, find them and discuss the situation. It will be make everyone feel better.

Attempting to give a child with an attachment disorder a new outlook on life is hard. It will be important that they have a counselor or therapist to discuss their issues with as well. They will be struggling to accept that this attachment is for real and that opening up is okay. Remembering that it is just as hard for the child to repair the damage that was done will help the parents keep moving forward in the hard journey.

Filed Under: Disorders Tagged With: Attachment disorder

Attachment Disorders in Children

Children with attachment disorders have a hard time developing relationships and controlling their emotions. They may try to exert control over the people around them and frequently display anger.

Children develop attachment disorders as a result of a lack of interaction with their caregivers as infants and young children. These children were probably ignored when they cried, left for hours in wet diapers and never talked to or smiled at. They generally went without their needs being met, so they never learned to depend on or trust their caregiver.

There are instances where the situation that caused the attachment disorder was completely unavoidable. For example, children that were hospitalized as infants may have been separated from their parents for long periods of time. Adopted children must sometimes live with a caregiver before going to live with their parents. These are two examples of situations that could possible result in an attachment disorder where the parents are not responsible in any way for it.

There are several signs of attachment disorder to watch for. Infants that don’t smile, reach out to you to be picked up, or don’t seem to care when you do pick them up may have an attachment disorder. These children may spend a lot of time trying to comfort themselves and don’t show much interest in playing with toys or their caregivers. If your child displays these symptoms, it does not mean they have an attachment disorder, but it does mean you should closely observe them and have them examined by a pediatrician.

Attachment disorders are treatable and the earlier the disorder is recognized and treatment begins, the better. It is not easy to parent a child with an attachment disorder, but it is very rewarding to see that child improve and begin to trust you as a result of your love and care.

Filed Under: Disorders Tagged With: Attachment disorder, Mental health

Understanding the Basics of Reactive Attachment Disorder

Reactive attachment disorder can be a difficult condition to understand. In infants and toddlers, the condition is marked by a failure to interact with caregivers. The child may not smile or play, instead they seem withdrawn and sad. Many children with reactive attachment disorder become calm when they are alone.

Reactive attachment disorder is thought to occur when a child does not bond with their caregiver, typically a parent, relative, or nanny, early in life. Many scholars describe the process as a cycle where the child’s basic needs such as food and shelter are not met early in their life.

Children who are victims of abuse or neglect often experience reactive attachment disorder, although it is important to know that this is not always the case. It can also occur in children whose early lives have been marked by uncertainty or who have been moved between multiple caregivers in a short period of time.

Treatment for reactive attachment disorder is often a lifelong process. Attachment therapists specialize in treating children with this disorder and often have methods that differ from other counselors.

Some attachment therapists believe that it is important to bring the entire family to therapy sessions in order to identify the problems and work to develop a plan for them to heal as a group. Attachment therapists believe that providing the family with the tools to move forward is key to the healing process.

While family therapy can help to identify what is going on that has caused this condition, it must walk a fine line between healing the family unit and identifying the child’s needs. If the child with reactive attachment disorder is not given time to speak on his or her own, it becomes easy for a caregiver to mask the true nature of the problems.

Filed Under: Disorders Tagged With: Attachment disorder, Reactive attachment disorder