Childhood experiences play a major role in a person’s attachment patterns. Children who experience neglectful or abusive environments can develop attachment issues and disorders, which can affect their relationships as adults.
Signs of attachment issues can include difficulties forming emotional bonds, difficulty trusting others and risky behaviors. If you suspect your child has attachment issues, seek professional help. The earlier you seek treatment, the better. A pediatrician or specialist in child development or attachment disorders can conduct a thorough assessment to diagnose your child. Treatment often includes therapy and parenting education.
A therapist can help you uncover difficult emotions and learn healthier ways to cope with them. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, can also help you build a stronger sense of self and trust in others.
Finding the right therapist can be challenging. Look for someone who is licensed by your state’s licensing board and who has extensive training in the area of attachment. Make sure you feel comfortable sharing your personal history and that you find the therapist’s approach compatible with your own. Consider asking friends and family for recommendations, or checking with your insurance company for a list of approved providers.
As a parent, you can support your child’s healthy attachment by establishing consistency in daily routines and schedules. This can make the world seem less unpredictable and scary. You can also demonstrate love and acceptance by providing unconditional support, ensuring that your child knows they are loved no matter what. Showing that you’re willing to own up to your mistakes and initiate repair can teach your child that you’ll always be there for them, no matter what happens.
It’s important to understand that people who had attachment problems as children don’t necessarily carry those same attachment issues into adulthood. However, attachment styles can continue to influence your ability to build strong relationships. If you had an insecure attachment style as a child, you may struggle to trust others or feel anxious when you’re apart from your loved ones. In some cases, these feelings can lead to anxiety in romantic relationships, such as feeling excessively needy or jealous.
If you had a disorganized attachment style as a child, your emotions might be unpredictable and erratic. This can interfere with your ability to form close relationships, and it can be hard for you to regulate your feelings. People who have this attachment style often downplay the importance of intimacy and can’t trust others easily, which can make them reluctant to enter a relationship.
Anxious attachment is a type of attachment disorder that can result from trauma, abuse or neglect. These children are worried that others won’t reciprocate their desire for affection and can become highly distressed when they’re separated from a loved one. They also tend to exhibit a lack of inhibition around strangers, which can lead them to act overly familiar with others. This can lead to feelings of isolation and social withdrawal in adulthood.