attachment disorder

noun

Psychology.

1. an emotional and behavioral disorder arising from a failure to form a strong bond with one’s primary caregiver in early childhood and affecting one’s social relationships in later childhood and adulthood.

Word History and Origins

Origin of attachment disorder¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

Allan said he was diagnosed with an attachment disorder after watching his mother die in a car accident when he was three.

Read more on BBC

Lenhardt’s daughter, who has autism, intellectual disability and a severe attachment disorder, is often violent, and has been a frequent visitor to Seattle Children’s over the past few months.

Read more on Seattle Times

The couple had installed the cameras to record Emrik’s behavior because a friend told them Emrik might have reactive attachment disorder — a condition caused by neglect or abuse — and suggested the cameras to record his behavior to show to medical professionals.

Read more on Seattle Times

Whatever it is — Berlin gently suggested it’s an attachment disorder, because “how we learn to self-soothe comes out of our attachments” — I know it will take longer than a single January to locate.

Read more on Washington Post

Christian Hall was later diagnosed with reactive attachment disorder, a serious condition that can sometimes make it difficult for adopted children to connect with and love their parents and interact with people.

Read more on Seattle Times