Binding disorder

Introduction

A bonding disorder is a disorder that usually occurs in childhood, whereby a pathological (pathological) relationship exists between the affected child and the caregivers, i.e. usually the parents. This includes a disorder of the ability to bond and social interactions. This often leads to inappropriate behaviour or behaviour that is not appropriate to the situation.

A distinction is made between the reactive attachment disorder (inhibited form) and the attachment disorder with disinhibition (uninhibited form). The attachment disorder usually occurs in children within the first five years of life. But adults can also suffer from attachment disorders, which differ in their symptoms from the attachment disorders in children.

Causes

There are many causes of attachment disorder. These are often causes that lead to a disruption of attachment within the first five years of life. Depending on whether it is an inhibited or disinhibited form of attachment disorder, different causes are in the foreground.

In the case of a reactive attachment disorder, i.e. the inhibited form, the cause is often traumatic. Thus, physical abuse or neglect can lead to a attachment disorder. Sexual abuse in early childhood can also be a possible cause.

If there is a chronic serious illness that involves many stays in medical institutions and painful examinations or operations, this can also lead to a dissociation disorder. Birth traumas or premature birth can also be possible causes. On the other hand, emotional neglect and neglect are at the forefront of attachment disorders with disinhibition.

With these children there is often no reference person or only little contact with other people, which makes it impossible to learn how to deal with a stable attachment. . In many cases, trauma can be the cause of attachment disorder.

Different types of trauma are distinguished. The most common form is physical trauma, for example through severe physical abuse or sexual abuse. As a result, the inhibited form more often develops a dissociation disorder.

In some cases, premature birth or birth trauma can also lead to a bonding disorder. The latter is often accompanied by alcohol or drug abuse by the mother. In some cases, attachment disorder can also occur between a mother and her baby or child.

In this case there is a disturbed relationship between the two. Often this can be explained by a combination of several factors. These include, for example, psychological problems or strain on the mother.

A typical decisive characteristic is that the mother is overwhelmed by the situation, e.g. by a separation from the father of the child or dissatisfaction with herself. Another possible cause can be an illness of the child, whether physical or mental. The baby or child in turn is often neglected by the mother’s excessive demands or may even experience violence from the mother. To be able to start a treatment in case of a attachment disorder between a mother and her child, the different conflicts present must first be analysed in detail to identify possible triggers for the attachment disorder. Once this analysis has been completed, a joint long-term mother-child therapy should be sought in order to restore the relationship between the two.