Reactive attachment disorder in adulthood: what is it and what are its consequences?

Reactive attachment disorder is a disorder that affects how we bond with others.. It is usually diagnosed and addressed during childhood, when symptoms are most evident. However, there are cases in which this does not happen, and it is in them that we see the consequences of reactive attachment disorder in adults.

The positive news is that it is also possible to work on problems associated with attachment in adults.. Thus, if we learn to recognize the effects that this condition has in adulthood, we can detect it and seek the necessary help.

Symptoms of reactive attachment disorder

Reactive attachment disorder is a rare problem that usually develops during the first years of life. During this stage, infants develop emotional bonds with their primary caregivers. This information is important, because Depending on the type of experience the child has with their caregivers, they will develop different attachment styles.

Following this line, there are cases in which caregivers also act negligently or abusively toward infants or separate from them abruptly. Consequently, it is possible that this ends up being the origin of a reactive attachment disorder, which usually expresses itself in two forms:

Inhibited. Children who suffer from this variation refuse to initiate or maintain contact with anyone. They appear shy, do not respond when spoken to, and their emotional reactions are minimal. Although, they may have episodes of fear, sadness, crying or irritability that appear without explanation.Uninhibited Contrary to the previous one, the uninhibited type shows excessive trust towards adults, even strangers. Their behavior gives the impression that they feel very familiar with anyone, even if it is someone they have just met.

The lack of affection in childhood and conflicts favor the development of reactive attachment disorder.

Consequences of reactive attachment disorder in adulthood

In children, these behavioral patterns are formed during the first five years of life. It is common for it to occur in orphaned children, infants from problematic homes where there is violence or substance abuse.

However, not in all cases the condition is diagnosed or treated appropriately – this is when the consequences of reactive attachment disorder carry over into adulthood.

Identity issues

Vasquez and Stenland (2016) carried out a study on behavioral problems in adults who were adopted by foreigners. The authors point out that in several cases it was possible to diagnose reactive attachment disorder in these adults. Thus, one of the effects that researchers were able to observe in people with the disorder is that They often feel that they do not belong to their family groups.

In this sense, researchers point out that, during childhood, the family is a reference group for identity; Adopted adults who have to internalize and integrate a complex reality in this sense may have problems with their identity.

Study participants often inquired about their origins, with many reporting that they identified more with the culture of their native country. This thus became a kind of lost paradise.

Social isolation and mistrust

As explained above, children with reactive inhibited attachment disorder tend to avoid social relationships. If this is not corrected, it is likely that it will end up transcending into your adult life, generating only superficial relationships around them.

Limitations translate into great difficulties in generating and maintaining meaningful connections with others. Thus, their idea that others are bad people who only care about themselves is reinforced.

Overtrust and early bonding

People with reactive attachment disorder They are characterized by trying to establish emotional relationships of trust very quickly.. They burn phases at a much faster rate than a person without the disorder would.

The fact that they do not take the time necessary to evaluate the social terrain in which they tread causes them to suffer many disappointments. For example, they may expect the same thing from a person with whom they have been in tune, but whom they have met two weeks ago, as from a friend whom they have known for a long time.

This attachment pattern leads them to be too demanding in relationships, since they expect a lot from others very quickly. With this type of dynamic, it is common for them to encounter some type of rejection, since the other person can feel really overwhelmed with the evolution presented by the person who has the disorder.

Lack of empathy

Due to his difficulties in establishing emotional ties with others, It is common for them to have a hard time understanding other people’s emotions. Hall and Geher (2003) published work on personality characteristics in children with reactive attachment. It was concluded that participants with reactive attachment disorder had lower empathy scores than the control group.

Emotional problems

On the other hand, a common symptom of this alteration is problems regulating emotions and emotional instability. In a superficial analysis they may seem like happy and calm people; However, it is not unusual for them to react disproportionately to any event that goes against their wishes.

People with reactive attachment disorder have difficulty regulating their emotions.

To end, One of the consequences of reactive attachment disorder in adulthood is the great suffering it produces. (both in the person who suffers from it and in the environment). The lack of ties, to which must be added a very disabling emotional instability, usually leads these patients to seek help. It is at this moment when the disorder can be diagnosed and worked with different strategies.

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