Attachment Disorder

Attachment disorders are typically caused by either emotional enmeshment or physical or emotional abandonment in early childhood. In emotional enmeshment, the parent or caregiver looks to the child to fulfill their emotional needs. Emotional abandonment is when the parent or caregiver is unable to meet the needs of the child due to preoccupation with their own or another person’s needs. A parent’s mental health issues or substance abuse can be a reason for emotional abandonment of a child.

To start with, attachment disorder symptoms or RAD behavior need to be stopped, so the teen can start practicing new, positive behaviors. To heal attachment disorder, teens need to build self-esteem, with the support of mental health professionals. From there, they can learn to create authentic connections and relationships based on mutual trust, safety, and respect.