Reactive Attachment Disorder in Adults Ruins Relationships

Relationships are an integral part of our lives, and when we don’t form a healthy attachment with our parents and guardians, we can develop severe disorders as adults. Reactive attachment disorder happens when a child doesn’t form healthy bonds with their parents, and as a result, if left untreated, reactive attachment disorder follow a person into adulthood. A child who doesn’t form these healthy connections with their parents feels insecure and doesn’t know how to reach out for help or self-soothe independently. As a result, the child may grow into an adult who continues to struggle with the same issues. The symptoms of reactive attachment disorder can be detrimental and hard to live with, so if you see these symptoms in yourself, it’s important to seek help.

Adults with reactive attachment disorder can be insecure and impulsive

Reactive attachment disorder in adults occurs when a person has extreme difficulty in forming healthy relationships with other human beings. They have trouble keeping connections and might be anti-social or withdrawn. They can struggle with anger problems and might be paranoid or feel like other people don’t care about them. They may have a resistance to receiving and giving love even though they strongly crave that affection. Adults living with reactive attachment disorder often feel that they don’t belong and feel misunderstood. They may have control issues and don’t know how to let go because they feel out of control themselves. Reactive attachment disorder is a severe condition that requires treatment. If you don’t get support for RAD, you can end up creating destructive relationship patterns, and alienate people in your life. Don’t wait to seek treatment.

Loneliness and Reactive Attachment Disorder

A person with reactive attachment disorder may feel lonely because they don’t know how to form healthy attachments, but the good news is that it is entirely treatable. It’s not a condition that permanently damages you if you get help from a mental health professional. Adults with reactive attachment disorder find it hard to reach out for love and support, but with treatment, they can learn to do so. Therapy allows an adult with reactive attachment disorder to let go of their current behaviors and form healthy attachments. The reason they’ve developed these ongoing detached feelings is attributed to childhood neglect and other painful experiences, meaning their childhood didn’t prepare them to form healthy bonds as adults. It’s important to remember that there is hope.  

Getting treatment for reactive attachment disorder

If you’re living with RAD and struggling to make and maintain relationships, you can get help. You can talk about your attachment issues in therapy. You might choose to see a therapist in your local area or try online treatment. Online counseling is an excellent place to talk about problems with attachment, whether you have reactive attachment disorder or any other kind of attachment-related concerns. Sometimes attachment disorders are challenging to identify, but a mental health professional knows the signs and symptoms to look for and can help you find an adequate treatment plan. Adults who have attachment issues struggle to maintain intimate relationships and friendships as well, but with the support of an online therapist, you can work through RAD and figure out why you’re afraid to attach to other human beings. Relationships are the foundation of our lives, and it’s important to connect with others. Talk to an online therapist and see if you can figure out the source of your attachment issues. There is hope, and you’ll be able to connect with others and feel loved.