Attachment Disorder in Adults

Learn here, about the causes of attachment disorder in adults, and the symptoms that help identify this condition.

What is attachment disorder in adults? Also known as a reactive attachment disorder, attachment disorder in adults is a problem that begins in the most impressionable years of childhood, and manifests itself over time, and becomes severe during adulthood. The reason for this may be neglect by parents, separation from parents due to death or divorce, and even due to physical or sexual abuse during childhood. Due to these circumstances, children slowly develop feelings of detachment, in that, they fail to form long and lasting relationships with anyone, and find it difficult to trust others. If not checked at the right time, this continues into adulthood, and ultimately becomes a serious psychological disorder, which should be treated at the earliest. Simply because, it is relationships that form the important bonds in life, and are necessary for everyone. Moreover, the symptoms of this disorder may become severe, and lead to dangerous self-destructive behavior. Read more on reactive attachment disorder.

Symptoms of Attachment Disorder in Adults

Attachment disorder in adults may be characterized by one or more of the following symptoms. It is important to note, that in order to identify the presence of the disorder, the following symptoms ought to be continuously monitored. The presence of just one symptom, or a symptom for a short period of time, may not be sufficient evidence for the presence of the attachment disorder in adults.

• Impulsiveness Adults with attachment disorder indulge in impulsive behavior, which they may, or may not, regret later.
• Negative and Provocative Behavior Attachment disorder in adults creates a general negative mindset, and causes them to act provocatively and anger others along with themselves.
• Desire for Control Persons suffering from this disorder have a strong desire to control their surroundings, and manipulate people and events around themselves. They may use means like lying and cheating, and even stealing to do so.
• Resistance to Love and Guidance A natural symptom of an attachment disorder, is the lack of ability to connect, empathize or sympathize with anyone. People who suffer from this disorder also face difficulty in giving and receiving love and affection from others. They are unable to develop feelings of closeness. They also refuse to allow anyone to guide them in the right direction, or to nurture them.
• Lack of Trust Along with the lack of ability to empathize, such persons fail to develop trusting relationships with other. They generally fail to trust anyone around them.
• Anger and Agitation Adults suffering from attachment disorder are inwardly, deeply sad and depressed, and feel very isolated. They are overcome by stress and frustration. However, they conceal these traits by showing anger very often, either openly, or covertly. They may do this by means of destructive, cruel and hostile behavior, and may often argue with those who don’t agree with them.
• Superficial Positive Traits In spite of the above mentioned symptoms, persons who suffer from this disorder appear very charming, and can often easily engage one in long and interesting conversations.
• Addictions The attachment disorder in adults also causes them to indulge in substance abuse such as alcohol and drug addiction, and they may also suffer from an addiction to gambling, even to work.
• Helplessness Due to the symptoms of isolation and depression, persons suffering from attachment disorder feel helpless, and feel like they are being accused by family and friends at all times, for various reasons.
• Lack of Responsibility This means that they refuse to take any responsibility for their negative actions, and are unable to handle conflict with others.
• Confusion Such persons are always confused, puzzled, and obsessed with finding answers to their queries. This confusion leads to general lack of concentration, and a disability to hold their attention towards any activity for long.

You may also take a look at avoidant attachment and other behavior disorders.

Adults who suffer from attachment disorders, most often, experience feelings of fear and sadness. They deeply desire love and affection, but are unable to portray these desires effectively. Negative experiences in childhood lead them into denial and they fail to understand emotions such as love and attachment. With these deep-seated emotions, it is difficult to just ‘talk them out’ of such feelings. They require advanced therapeutic methods that involve a nurturing touch, a restructuring of emotions, treatment to break through the barriers of the mind, and get them to reveal all those trapped emotions. Roleplaying is another method that helps with the treatment of attachment disorder in adults. Furthermore, it is important that they receive the necessary support from a friend or family member, while undergoing therapy. Several times, this friend may be asked to attend therapy with them, to be able to generate feelings of trust.

The treatment of this disorder is very sensitive, and may take a long period of time, depending on how receptive the adult is, to this kind of therapy. To be able to confront the fact, that one is suffering from this disorder, is itself a very challenging task. As such, therapy, along with the love and support of someone close to the sufferer, will adequately help in treating attachment disorder in adults.