Attachment disorder is a psychological disorder where a child cannot form a healthy attachment to their caregiver, leading to poor social relationships. Symptoms vary by age, including disinterest in others, withdrawal, defiance, aggression, and disinhibited behavior. Older individuals may also display aggression and impulsivity.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM-IV, an attachment disorder is a psychological disorder in which a child does not or cannot develop a healthy attachment to his or her caregiver. This is unrelated to other developmental disorders, such as mental retardation, and can often lead to poor social relationships. Symptoms of attachment disorder can vary depending on a person’s age. For example, children showing symptoms of this disorder may seem unusually disinterested in other people around them, and young children may appear withdrawn or prefer to be alone. As a child gets older, he may become more defiant or perhaps aggressive towards others around him, especially his caregivers.
Many times, symptoms of attachment disorder will be present when an individual is a child. Children with attachment disorder will seem somewhat detached from other people and will often appear to prefer solitude. For example, he may resist, cry or squirm when someone tries to pick him up. He also may not smile at the actions of others, nor will he observe other people as they move around a room.
In children, a lack of interest in play can also be another symptom of attachment disorder. In addition to showing little interest in toys, he may also dislike the typical children’s games that a parent might play with him. Peek-a-boo or tickle, for example, can be met with disinterest or contempt.
As a child gets older, signs of attachment disorder may become more apparent. Unlike other toddlers or children her age, a child with attachment disorder may show little interest in group activities with her friends. Instead of playing catch with a group of kids, for example, he could be found hiding at the edge of the playground, by himself. While he may watch others, there will generally be no interest in joining them.
When upset, a child dealing with attachment disorder may resist comforting. He may run away or get angry at her caregiver if she tries to hug him when she is crying. Depression and intense moods are a couple of other symptoms of attachment disorder.
Older children and adults often show the same symptoms of attachment disorder, but there will likely be other symptoms as well. As an individual ages a little, aggression towards peers and caregivers is one of the most common signs of attachment disorder. Adolescents with attachment disorder are also more likely to be defiant or impulsive.
In addition to the inhibited behavior – wanting to be left alone – that many individuals with attachment disorder may display, some may also display disinhibited behavior. This means they would rather not be alone and may constantly need help with small tasks. Often, these types of sufferers shower complete strangers with unwarranted and inappropriate attention or affection.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
