Attachment trauma may occur in the form of a basic interpersonal neglect (omission trauma) or in the form of physical, mental or sexual abuse (commission trauma). In many cases, both trauma types are combined. Attachment trauma often leads to a “disoriented- disorganized” attachment.
Adverse childhood experiences like divorce, domestic violence, substance abuse, and parents with mental health issues all can leave their mark on the child's forming brain and nervous system . The long-term result manifests as a struggle with symptoms of attachment trauma which last well into adulthood.
It was found that the physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, and physical and emotional neglect subdimensions of childhood trauma were positively related to fearful, preoccupied, and dismissing attachment styles; whereas these same variables were negatively related to the secure attachment style.
So, trauma experienced in childhood can also cause the child to have an insecure attachment. For example, if a child experienced a chaotic upbringing or neglectful environment, they may learn that their needs will not be met. This can lead to children having a hard time trusting that their needs will be met.
Avoidant attachment develops when an infant or young child has a parent or caregiver who is consistently emotionally unavailable or unresponsive to their needs. Infants with an avoidant attachment style may also have faced repeated discouragement from crying or expressing outward emotion.
Attachment issues typically originate in early childhood. Parents and caregivers must provide infants with adequate care and fulfill needs to develop a healthy attachment style. Irregular or inconsistent care from family members and carers can lead to an insecure attachment style.
Attachment trauma is considered to be a traumatic experience an infant or child has when a primary caregiver does not or cannot provide adequate care, affection, and comfort. When the caregiver ignores a baby's distress, for instance, this can be a traumatic experience.
Anxious attachment style is rooted in abandonment fears and care-related inconsistencies growing up. It's often developed when children are dependent on unreliable caregivers. They repeatedly learn that their caregivers may or may not come through when needed.
Anxious and avoidant relationships are considered unhealthy or insecure attachments. They can often lead to relationships that cause you great anxiety, distress, or emotional pain. Alternatively, you can also form attachments to objects. These attachment objects can play a role in how safe you feel.
Disorganized attachment is the most extreme insecure attachment style, therapist Chamin Ajjan, M.S., LCSW, A-CBT, tells mbg. People with a disorganized attachment style have a strong desire for intimate connections but also put up walls to protect themselves from getting hurt.
The most difficult type of insecure attachment is the disorganized attachment style. It is often seen in people who have been physically, verbally, or sexually abused in their childhood.
The attach/cry-for-help response is one of the earliest survival strategies a child develops to elicit help from a caregiver – but it can also be a defensive adaptation to trauma. According to some experts, it's the least understood of all defense responses and can be difficult to detect.
Childhood emotional neglect can impact your adult relationships by making it hard to be open, intimate, and trusting with others. Among the many possible effects, you may have developed an anxious attachment style or a personality disorder.
Attachment issues typically result from an early separation from parents, lengthy hospitalization, incidents of trauma, instances of neglect, or an otherwise troubled childhood. These issues may have an affect on a child's ability to form healthy, secure attachments later in life.
Acting clingy
An individual might hold on to a relationship even though it consistently makes them feel frightened or unloved. Moreover, relational trauma can also lead people to feel and act clingy even when they're in a loving, stable relationship.
As a result of attachment trauma, you might carry beliefs that you are damaged, not lovable, or that you cannot trust anyone. You might have feelings of shame, unworthiness, or helplessness. Perhaps, you feel plagued by anxiety or believe that you don't belong in this world.
Attachment issues usually develop in early childhood, but their effects can last a lifetime if you don't take active steps to overcome them. Fortunately, it is possible to address your attachment issues and learn to relate to those around you in a healthier way.
Bowlby identified four types of attachment styles: secure, anxious-ambivalent, disorganised and avoidant.
Style 4: disorganised-controlling
These children often display controlling and manipulative behaviour. This form of attachment can develop because of: abuse.
The five levels addressed are: Authentic Self, Preference, Identity, Internalization, and Fanatacism.