No individual needs to be defined by the actions or behavior of their parents.
However, the attachment strategies we form early in our lives for dealing with our parents and caregivers can significantly shape how we relate to ourselves, others, and our environments (Levy & Orlans, 2014).
Infants who continuously experience fear and trauma from their parents may develop a disorganized attachment, marked by unpredictable behavior and emotional responses, including withdrawal, anxiety, anger, and defiance (Marrone, 2014).
This article explores the nature and origin of disorganized attachment, along with strategies to support children and adults in building more helpful and healthy connections.
Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Positive Relationships Exercises for free. These detailed, science-based exercises will help you or your clients build healthy, life-enriching relationships.
In this article:
Loss of Identity: How to Reconnect With Your True Self
What happens when you no longer feel clear about who you are?...
Read MoreIdentity vs. Role Confusion: Unsure About Who You Are?
“Who am I?” This is a question many of us ask at...
Read MoreHow to Cope With Grief: Resilience Skills for Life After Loss
When we lose someone close, life rarely returns to normal after a...
Read More7-Day Resilience Reset: How to Get Through Hard Times
Hard times make ordinary life tasks difficult to manage. When you are...
Read MoreHow to Strengthen Your Relationships Using Anchor Cards
Think about the friends you’ve kept since high school or the coworkers...
Read MoreHow to Build a Personal Strength Stack
Most of us likely know at least a few of our personal...
Read More