Attachment Disorders
Understanding & Healing Childhood Trauma
Attachment disorders profoundly impact a woman’s emotional and social development, as well as her ability to form healthy relationships in adulthood.
What Are Attachment Disorders?
Attachment disorders are a group of conditions characterized by difficulties with emotional regulation, social interaction, and relationships. These issues can be traced back to early disruptions in the attachment process with a primary caregiver—usually a parent or guardian.
Attachment disorders manifest in a variety of ways, including:
- Difficulty forming and maintaining healthy relationships
- Intense fear of abandonment or rejection
- Extreme mood swings and emotional dysregulation
- Avoidance of intimacy or emotional connection
- Inappropriate or clingy behavior
- Lack of empathy or concern for others
- Issues related to trust and boundaries
Types of Attachment Disorders
There are several different types of attachment disorders, including:
Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD): a condition that develops when a child experiences significant disruptions in the attachment process, such as neglect, abuse, or frequent changes in caregivers. Those with RAD may avoid physical contact, fail to seek comfort from caregivers in childhood, or display aggressive, disruptive behaviors.
Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED): a condition that can develop when a child does not develop normal social boundaries due to a lack of consistent caregiving. Women with DSED may engage with strangers indiscriminately, display overly friendly behavior, or fail to distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar people.
Healing from Attachment Disorders
While attachment disorders can severely impact an individual’s life, they are treatable with the right interventions. Resolving attachment disorders typically involves a combination of therapy, medication, and support services.
Therapy for attachment disorders at Rising Roads Recovery includes:
Attachment-based therapy: Focuses on building healthy attachments and addressing the underlying causes of attachment disorders.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): Helps women with attachment disorders to identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors.
Trauma-focused therapy: Empowers women to process and heal from past traumatic experiences that may be contributing to attachment disorders.
Supportive services, such as career exploration and academic or peer support, can also help manage the long-term effects associated with these conditions.
Get Help for Attachment Disorders
If you’re struggling with an attachment disorder, you are not alone. At Rising Roads Recovery, women benefit from shared experiences and proven therapies that treat these conditions. Our compassionate team of mental health clinicians is here to support you on your journey to healing and recovery.
