Developmental Attachment Injury

 

What is Developmental Attachment Injury?

                                                                                            Photo: Ksenia Makagonova Unsplash

According to the NIH  

Attachment refers to a psychobiological principle that is deeply rooted in evolutionary development; it is thought to contribute a major advantage in the survival of the social group. Within individual development it indicates a primary motivational system that guides the initial transactions between mother and baby and furthermore mediates affective attunement and regulation. 

Dr. Michael Dadson (Mike Dadson) explains: 

Significant early adversities and traumatic encounters, or substantial emotional neglect, can give rise to varying degrees of attachment security or insecurity, resulting in disorientation and disorganization within the attachment pattern.

As with adults, every child has a different way of dealing with circumstances or events.” Not every person experiences events same way. If a child experiences, terror, abandonment or feels totally alone and vulnerable, it can be traumatic.

Family counselling can be important for children affected by developmental attachment injury, and a great way for parents to find answers behind the behaviours of their child.

Trauma experienced during childhood canmanifest in a multitude of symptoms, including nightmares, bed-wetting, heightened anxiety, depression, resistance to authority, academic underperformance, mood fluctuations, substance misuse, and self-harm.  

Psychology Today identified these key points: 

• People with unprocessed attachment trauma often report similar behaviors or psychological symptoms that affect the quality of their adult lives.

• Unexplained physical ailments may originate from having experienced early trauma.

• Trauma-blocking behaviors occur by engaging in compulsive behaviors that momentarily distract from traumatic memories or pain.

 Dr. Michael Dadson reviews the impact of unresolved childhood trauma in the video below. 

 For further reading on Developmental Attachment Injury:

• 4 Ways a Traumatic Childhood Affects Adult Relationships

• The Application of Attachment Theory and Mentalization in Complex Tertiary Structural Dissociation: A Case Study. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 20, 3, 322. doi:10.1080/10926771.2011.562477 Stewart, B., Dadson , M.R., &, Fallding , M. | Published onlne (2011).

• Early Childhood Trauma

• Attachment Theory: How Childhood Affects Life

• The Link between Types of Attachment and Childhood Trauma

• Attachment Disorder

About Dr. Michael Dadson

·         Ph.D. in counselling psychology from the University of British Columbia in 2013. specializing father son relationships, trauma, veterans, and PTSD recovery.

• ·         Dr. Michael Dadson's Ph. D, dissertation

Dr. Michael Dadson, dedicated his early career to the study of trauma. His role as the former Executive and Clinical Director of the Veterans Transition Network equipped him with a profound understanding of the profound effects that trauma can exert on an individual."  

Professional Profiles:

• ·         BC Association of Clinical Counsellors

• ·         Academia

•       Psychology Today

• ·         Google Scholar

• ·         Three Best Rated 

 Dr. Michael Dadson's web sites: 

• Trauma Therapy Clinic: Trauma, PTSD, trauma recovery insights, impacts, issues, questions, and answers

•  Langley Couples Counselling: Relationship questions and answers, counselling methods for couples and relationship insights. 

• Dr. Mike Dadson: Types of Therapy Used in Counselling

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