Eating Disorders And Attachment

The French Wench via etsy.com

One of the first recovery exercises The Victorian- Eating
Disorder Treatment has our clients do is to write their Life Story. Then, we
ask that they read the story of their life (birth to present day) during
Process Group with the other women in the house and staff. Quite often I have
noticed the consistency of the clients to have an incident of trauma early in
life. The incidents vary from a mother who had PTSD, a parent that traveled
consistently or was struggling with mental illness. Coincidentally there has
been quite a bit of research on the roll attachment plays in the development of
eating disorders. Helping our clients to heal and grow from the loss of
attachment is our goal. However, repairing lost bonds is an intricate and
lengthy process.

What is Attachment?

For those unfamiliar, attachment theory describes the
dynamics of long-term relationships between humans. Its most important
principal is that an infant needs to develop a relationship with at least one caregiver
for social and emotional development to occur normally. Attachment theory came
about after World War II, homeless and orphaned children presented many
difficulties; psychiatrist and psychoanalyst John Bowlby was asked by the UN to
write a pamphlet on the matter. Later he went on to formulate attachment
theory.

Infants become attached to individuals who are sensitive and
responsive in social interactions with them, and who remain consistent
caregivers and protectors during the period of six months to two years of age.
When an infant begins to crawl and walk they begin to use attachment figures
(familiar people) as a secure base to explore from and return to the caregiver/
protector. Caregivers’ responses lead to the development of certain patterns of
attachment; these lead to internal working models which will guide the
individual’s perceptions, emotions, thoughts and expectations in later
relationships. Separation anxiety or grief following the loss of an attachment
figure is considered to be a normal and adaptive response for an attached
infant. These behaviors may have evolved because they increase the probability
of survival of the child.

The Basics

The basics are that the style of the early attachment
relationship to your primary caregiver is crucial in determining personality,
values, and psychological health. Securely attached children use their caregiver
as a base to explore the world and have a high trust in themselves and others.
This is generally fostered by a caregiver who skillfully attends to the needs
of the child. The three major insecure styles (dismissing/avoidant,
preoccupied/resistant, fearful/disorganized) all have more undesirable
qualities that theoretically lead to negative psychological states in
adulthood. Despite the difficulty in researching the causal elements, the
theory has been around forever for a reason.

Symptoms of a Child
with Reactive Attachment:

*See if you recall
any of the following behaviors in your childhood.

Aversion to touch and
physical affection: Children with reactive attachment disorder often
flinch, laugh, or even say “Ouch” when touched. Rather than producing positive
feelings, touch and affection are perceived as a threat.

Control issues:  Most children with reactive attachment
disorder go to great lengths to remain in control and avoid feeling helpless.
They are often disobedient, defiant, and argumentative.

Anger problems:  Anger may be expressed directly, in tantrums
or acting out, or through manipulative, passive-aggressive behavior. Children
with reactive attachment disorder may hide their anger in socially acceptable
actions, like giving a high five that hurts or hugging someone too hard.

Difficulty showing
genuine care and affection: For example, children with reactive attachment
disorder may act inappropriately affectionate with strangers while displaying
little or no affection towards their parents.

An underdeveloped
conscience: Children with reactive attachment disorder may act like they
don’t have a conscience and fail to show guilt, regret, or remorse after
behaving badly.

Types of treatment
for reactive attachment disorder:

Treatment:  Treatment for reactive attachment disorder
usually involves a combination of therapy, counseling, and education, designed
to ensure the individual has a safe living environment, develops positive
interactions with others, and improves peer relationships.

Medication: While
medication may be used to treat associated conditions, such as depression,
anxiety, or hyperactivity, there is no quick fix for treating reactive
attachment disorder.

Family Therapy:
Typical therapy for attachment problems includes both the clients and his or
her parents or caregivers from childhood.

Individual Psychological
Counseling: Therapists meet with the client individually to help give words
and understanding to the emotions they felt as a child .

Play Therapy: Such
as Sand Tray, helps the inner child to re- learn appropriate skills for
interacting with peers and handling other social situations.