Attachment Disorder In Adults: Cause, Symptoms, & Treatment
Attachment disorders in adults can significantly impact emotional well-being and relationships, often stemming from childhood experiences of neglect, trauma, or abuse. Research shows a strong connection between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and attachment disorders. One study on young male inmates revealed that 50% of this population displayed symptoms of Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) or Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED), and nearly 75% have a history of abuse or neglect.Â
Despite the profound effects of these conditions, many individuals go undiagnosed and untreated, leading to further emotional distress, difficulty forming healthy relationships, and even increased risks of incarceration or mental health struggles.
In this article, we’ll explore attachment disorder in adults, signs of attachment issues, and the two recognized attachment disorders in adults— RAD and DSED. You’ll also get plugged in with excellent resources to navigate mental health disorders through Connections Mental Health.Â
Attachment disorders most frequently start in early childhood due to severe neglect, trauma, abuse, or inconsistent caregiving. While more commonly diagnosed and treated in children, these disorders can continue into adulthood, leading to significant emotional disconnect, relational challenges and attachment problems.Â
Both Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) and Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED) typically stem from early disruptions in emotional bonding with their primary caregiver, but they can manifest in very different ways.
Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) in adults is characterized by extreme emotional withdrawal, difficulty forming any close relationships, and a persistent distrust of others [7]. Reactive attachment disorder in adults often results in poor emotional regulation, avoidance of intimacy, and feelings of isolation. Those with RAD often find it hard to rely on or seek comfort from others, even when they are hurting.Â
Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED) is also a form of disordered social connections, as the individual struggles to recognize and maintain appropriate personal (sometimes even physical) boundaries. Adults with DSED may come off as overly friendly, trusting strangers too easily, and frequently forming superficial or impulsive relationships. Unlike RAD, which causes emotional detachment, DSED creates a pattern of excessive social engagement without an authentic connection.
Both disorders can severely impact personal relationships and emotional well-being, often requiring therapy and long-term support to develop healthier attachment patterns.
While attachment disorder symptoms in adults can resemble aspects of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), they are distinct conditions. Both of these disorders impact the mental health of the individual and often originate from early childhood trauma but manifest in differing ways and degrees of severity.Â
As mentioned, attachment disorders create difficulties in forming and maintaining close emotional relationships, often due to neglect or inconsistent caregiving from a young age. The two recognized and diagnosed attachment disorders are Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) and Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED).
Both of these disorders are marked by trust issues, unstable emotional regulation, and the inability to create meaningful connections with others. For those wondering what are attachment issues, these challenges often manifest as emotional detachment, fear of intimacy, or overly indiscriminate social behaviors, depending on the specific disorder.
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) manifests differently than attachment disorders. The distinguishing factors here are a disruption in their identity, characterized by two or more distinct personality states or identities (sometimes called “alters”).Â
These identities may have different memories, behaviors, and even ways of perceiving the world. Similar to attachment disorders, this condition is heavily linked with severe trauma or prolonged abuse in childhood.Â
Individuals with DID experience memory gaps, identity confusion, self-harm, suicidality, and difficulty maintaining a consistent sense of self, which can significantly disrupt daily life and hinder relational and social health [1]. But unlike attachment disorders, which primarily affect social and emotional connections, DID involves a disordered sense of identity and consciousness, which can disrupt every aspect of their life and well-being.Â
Yes, attachment issues in adults can persist from childhood or develop later due to traumatic events and unstable relationships. When a child forms an unhealthy attachment early in life and lacks consistent care, counseling, or a stable primary caregiver, they are at risk of carrying dysfunctional attachment patterns into adulthood. Without intervention, these patterns can affect emotional well-being, relationships, and overall mental health.
RAD is a serious diagnosis that can profoundly impact a child’s life and has been heavily stigmatized in foster care as a disorder that makes children seem “unlovable” or “dangerous.” Misconceptions, premature diagnoses by non-professionals, and a lack of education about RAD as an attachment disorder can be extremely harmful. The condition is often inaccurately portrayed as making children incapable of forming bonds, manipulative, or violent. This stigma limits access to proper treatment, leads to frequent placement disruptions, and worsens the child’s condition.Â
In reality, many children with RAD, with proper therapy and support, can develop healthy relationships and thrive in adulthood. However, these negative perceptions make it even harder for them to receive the care they need, weakening therapeutic interventions.
In adulthood, RAD symptoms may include the following adversities:Â
While RAD is marked by emotional withdrawal and fear-based behaviors, DSED presents a contrasting set of challenges. Instead of avoiding connection, individuals with DSED seek out relationships excessively, often disregarding appropriate social boundaries.Â
In adulthood, the most common signs of DSED include:
These behaviors distinguish DSED from RAD, though both conditions can significantly impact how individuals navigate adult relationships. While successful romantic and platonic relationships are possible with someone who has RAD or DSED, they require understanding, patience, and a commitment to emotional and mental stability.
Attachment disorders can profoundly affect adult relationships, shaping how individuals connect, trust, and engage emotionally with others. Adults with RAD often struggle with intimacy and may swing to one of two extremes: either emotional detachment (avoiding reliance and intimate relationships) or overly dependent (excessive clinginess). Both these extremes make stable and fulfilling relationships hard to find or keep.
On the other hand, those with DSED may repeatedly throw themselves into impulsive, shallow connections, often trusting new people far too quickly. These patterns can lead to unstable, fickle friendship patterns and uncommitted romantic experiences.Â
Understanding attachment theory and how early experiences shape adult relationships is crucial for breaking unhealthy cycles. Half the battle is becoming aware of an attachment issue you may have developed in early life. Therapy, self-reflection, and supportive relationships can help reshape these patterns over time.Â
That said, attachment styles are not set in stone [5], nor do they define your worth. Seeking professional support can provide guidance, healing, and the tools needed to build deeper, more secure connections.
Attachment theory (commonly referred to as attachment styles) was primarily championed by Mary Ainsworth in the 1980s [6]. She developed a series of tests called the “Strange Situation.” These tests have been numerously replicated and are heavily supported by cognitive behavior and psychiatric professionals [5].
The test was designed to assess a child’s emotional and social responses when interacting with a stranger alongside their primary caregiver (typically the mother). In the lab, the child was encouraged to explore while the parent and stranger interacted. At a set point, the parent left the room and later returned. Researchers observed the child’s reactions before separation, during their time alone with the stranger, and upon the parent’s return to evaluate attachment patterns.
From this breakthrough study and John Bowlby’s foundational work on attachment theory, we now have four recognized attachment styles. These styles provide valuable insight when considering attachment issues in adults and the development of attachment disorders.Â
The attachment styles are as follows:Â
Children with a secure attachment show distress when separated from their caregiver but are easily comforted upon their return. They seek reassurance and prefer their caregiver over unfamiliar people, demonstrating a strong, trusting bond.
Children with an anxious-resistant attachment display ambivalence toward their caregiver. They may not show a clear preference for their caregiver over a stranger and may avoid contact or appear indifferent when their caregiver returns. This behavior suggests insecurity and inconsistency in their early bonding experiences.
Children with an anxious-avoidant attachment exhibit high distress when separated from their caregiver but do not seek comfort upon their return. They often appear wary of strangers but also hesitate to rely on their caregiver for reassurance, suggesting a deep-seated difficulty in trusting relationships.
This style was not previously recognized as an attachment until further research was conducted by one of Mary’s students (Mary Main) [6]. Main found that some children displayed behaviors that did not fit into the three traditional attachment categories, leading to the identification of disorganized attachment. These children exhibit conflicted behaviors, such as approaching their caregiver while appearing frightened or freezing in place. They may display rigid body postures, odd emotional expressions, or seek comfort from strangers rather than their caregiver [5]. This attachment style often results from inconsistent, neglectful, toxic, or frightening caregiving experiences.Â
The symptoms of adult attachment disorder vary depending on the specific condition—Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) or Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED).Â
Adults with RAD may struggle with emotional detachment, difficulty trusting others, and fear of abandonment, leading to avoidance of close relationships. Those with DSED may form superficial connections, trust strangers too quickly, and have difficulty maintaining appropriate boundaries in both conversation and physical interactions. These symptoms often contribute to unstable relationships, social isolation, and worsening mental health.
Treatment options include therapy (such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and attachment-focused therapy), mindfulness practices, and learning healthier relationship skills through support groups or professional counseling. Attachment-based therapy helps individuals understand how early experiences affect their connections and develop a trusting, supportive relationship with a therapist.Â
With the right interventions, individuals can learn to form secure, fulfilling connections and improve their mental well-being.
The two main types of attachment disorders are Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), where individuals struggle to form bonds often due to early neglect from a primary caregiver, and Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED), marked by an overly trusting social behavior with strangers and difficulty keeping appropriate boundaries.Â
Signs of attachment trauma include emotional numbness, difficulty maintaining close relationships, and extreme independence (withdrawal) or extreme dependence (clinginess). Individuals may struggle with trust issues—either an inability to trust or placing trust too quickly—along with a deep fear of rejection or abandonment. These patterns can make it challenging to form healthy and secure relationships.
Attachment disorders and attachment issues can negatively impact your day-to-day life and sense of joy in relationships. While many of these conditions stem from trauma and distressing early circumstances, healing is possible!Â
If you or a loved one are struggling with mental health disorders like RAD or DSED, effective treatment is available at Connections. Our inpatient program allows you to focus on your mental health without the distractions of outside triggers and stressors. Our staff provides compassionate and knowledgeable care with evidence-based treatment plans.
Our homes offer a variety of personalized therapies and amenities, including:
When you’re ready to take control of your mental health—Call our admissions team today at 844-759-0999
[2] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/attachment-disorder-in-adults#complications
[3] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5777580/
[4] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/attachment-disorder-in-adults#types-of-the-disorder
[5] https://www.hubermanlab.com/episode/the-science-of-love-desire-and-attachment
[6] https://www.attachmentproject.com/attachment-theory/mary-ainsworth/
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