The ability to form secure bonds with other people is a crucial aspect of healthy development. Infants who have positive relationships with their parents or other primary caregivers tend to have better self-esteem and have more stable moods. In contrast, children who have difficulties with attachment are at greater risk of developing mental health issues later in life and can struggle to find healthy, fulfilling relationships. The good news is that these challenges can be overcome with the help of a professional therapist.
Children who have attachment disorders experience a range of emotional difficulties, including difficulty regulating emotions and trouble trusting others. Often, these conditions arise from past trauma and neglect, but they can also be a result of other medical or behavioral concerns. The best course of treatment is to address the underlying issues that are contributing to the child’s challenges.
A therapist who specializes in attachment disorders can help assess and diagnose a child’s needs. He or she can then develop a treatment plan that may include individual psychotherapy, family therapy, group therapy, or educational support services. The goal of therapy is to provide a safe space for the child to learn how to form and sustain relationships.
Reactive attachment disorder (RAD) and disinhibited social engagement disorder (DSED) are two types of attachment disorders that are typically a result of trauma or neglect in early childhood. Children with RAD have trouble forming healthy, loving emotional relationships and are generally fearful of caregivers, even if those caretakers are genuinely kind and loving. They may also have trouble with regulating their emotions and may use self-destructive behaviors as a way of coping with their emotional pain, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM-5.
DSED is a type of attachment disorder that involves impulsive, disinhibited behavior, such as wandering away from caregivers and engaging in overly familiar physical actions with strangers. Children with DSED are also at high risk for experiencing PTSD and have trouble expressing emotions.
Both DSED and RAD can be treated with a combination of psychotherapy, parent training, and therapeutic activities that promote bonding. Often, these activities include play therapy and art therapy. It’s important to remember that these children are trying to communicate their emotions, so it’s critical to listen and respond appropriately.
Although adult attachment problems usually start in childhood, these problems can persist into adulthood. In addition, they can lead to a variety of other mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. Talking to a therapist who specializes in attachment disorders can be a great way to explore your own relationship with yourself and others. Get started today by taking a free online assessment at BetterHelp, where you can be matched with a licensed therapist who can help you build more healthy, secure relationships.