Attachment Disorder Symptoms

Attachment Disorder or Reactive Attachment Disorder is a condition in which infants or young children fail to establish bonds or attachment with their parents or caregivers. This condition generally develops between the ages of 6 months and three years, and can be attributed to lack of parental care, frequent change in care givers or indifference to a child's responsiveness, among a host of other causative agents linked to neglect and/or abuse. Children who have attachment disorder find connecting with other people difficult, and struggle to form bonds or deal with their own emotions. As a result, they tend to be withdrawn, insecure, and are unable to trust others. This hampers social interaction, and can also lead to anger, aggression or associated behavior disorders. Most often, children develop this disorder because they have been consistently rebuffed when attempting to make a connection with a caregiver or parent. This leads to feelings of isolation or abandonment which intensify with age. This often makes them unable to express or allow themselves to feel love or develop attachment. Although it generally affects young children, there have been instances of attachment disorder in adults as well.

Symptoms in Children

The initial months after a baby's birth are ones in which a deep connection of attachment forms with the parents or care givers. The baby's needs are met and he or she feels safe, secure and loved. When this connection is lacking for any reason, whether lack of attention, care, or multiple care givers, the child lacks the ability to form a bond, and begins to detach. As a self-preservative response, these children develop an inability to trust or rely on others for their welfare and safety. They withdraw and become self-reliant, which further intensifies with age. Typical symptoms in babies include:

• Avoiding eye contact.
• Not reaching out to be picked up or held
• Not following movement with the eyes
• Withdrawn, listless appearance
• Doesn't laugh, gurgle or make sounds
• Doesn't participate in interactive games

Subsequently, attachment disorder symptoms in toddlers and young children are as follows:

• Doesn't display affection, often shies away from physical contact
• Indiscriminately affectionate with strangers
• Doesn't make eye contact except when lying
• Frequently angry and defiant, moody and lacking the ability to control impulses, can be violent
• Doesn't engage in social contact, but may watch others communicate
• Destructive behavior, towards material objects; may be cruel to animals
• Obvious lying
• Peculiar eating habits, hoarding

This disorder may continue into adolescence and be further complicated by addictions and/or substance abuse, sexual promiscuity, and juvenile delinquency. Teenagers with this disorder are prone to display violent behavior, while maintaining the inability to bond with peers or love another. They are also more likely to develop antisocial tendencies, and struggle with academic requirements at school. They may also be repeatedly taken to task for behavioral problems, specifically defiance of authority.

Symptoms in Adults

There is some evidence to suggest that reactive attachment disorder is inter-generational. Children who suffer from the syndrome, are likely to display the same lack of interest in their own children, or be abusive parents, leading to a vicious cycle that can be difficult to break. Similarly, though predominant in the younger years, the symptoms have also been documented in adults. These manifest in much the same ways as they do in children, save for the ability of the adult to mask his/her true emotions. On the whole, however, following are the classic symptoms of attachment disorder in adults.

• Superficially charming
• Controlling behavior, inability to trust
• Tendency towards addictions and/or substance abuse
• Violent, angry, frequently unreasonable behavior
• Compulsive lying without remorse
• Lack of empathy towards others
• Compulsively self-reliant
• Extremely self-critical

Parenting a child with such a disorder can be emotionally exhausting, frustrating and draining, especially since most theories ask that caregivers are unconditionally supportive, while efforts may not meet with encouraging results. However, there is evidence that over time, with such unconditional love and support, children do show improvement. If you recognize any of the above symptoms in your child, seek professional help. Arresting these signs early can have a significant as well as beneficial impact on dealing with this condition.

Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only and does not, in any way, seek to replace the advice of an expert.