attachment disorder

American  

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.

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Etymology

Origin of attachment disorder

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

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.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 23, 2023

Alongside sensory processing issues, hypermobility, multiple allergies, a weakened immune system, digestive and bowel problems, anxiety and attachment disorder, Charlie is on the autism pathway and doctors are looking into a possible connective tissue condition.

From BBC • Apr. 25, 2019

According to the Mayo Clinic, reactive attachment disorder occurs when a child’s basic needs for nurturing, comfort and affection are not met, and the child fails to establish any stable, loving attachments with a caregiver.

From Washington Times • May 30, 2016

Often, struggling adoptive families are counseled by peers to consider the possibility of reactive attachment disorder, or RAD, a severe and uncommon condition that traditionally results when children’s earliest bonds are broken.

From Slate • Mar. 6, 2014

They also had the most severe reactive attachment disorder she has seen anywhere.

From Washington Post • Jan. 30, 2014