Attachment disorders are psychiatric conditions that can develop in early childhood and may have lasting impacts into adulthood.

Symptoms of attachment disorders often show up in early childhood.

For example, RAD symptoms often appear before 5 years of age.

parent holding child’s hand

d3sign / Getty Images

And unlike RAD, children with ASD do show focused attachment.

What Causes Attachment Disorder?

People may have attachment issues for a variety of reasons.

In severe, rare cases, attachment issues may stem from an attachment disorder, which can go undiagnosed.

Though attachment theory and attachment disorders both describe how one relates to others, they are two different things.

They also affect how one perceives themselves in relation to others.

Attachment theory poses four differentattachment styles: secure, avoidant, ambivalent, and disorganized attachment.

Attachment disorder is a clinical condition characterized by significant issues in a childs behavior toward caregivers and unfamiliar adults.

What Helps Children With Attachment Disorder?

However, people can work on attachment even in adulthood, andpsychotherapymay help.

If and when you have a diagnosis, getting help to manage symptoms will not be far behind.

Summary

Attachment disorders usually develop in early childhood and may have lasting impacts into adulthood.

Irfan N, Nair A, Bhaskaran J, et al.Review of the current knowledge of reactive attachment disorder.Cureus.

2022;14(11):e31318.

2022;31(1):85-98. doi:10.1007/s00787-020-01673-7

American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.Attachment disorders.