Disorganized attachment experienced in childhood is a clear predictor of emotional problems and disorders and psychopathology in adult life. According to what was proposed by Bowlby, pioneer author of this theory, attachment is the special and innate bond between the child and his or her caregivers that will influence the psychological and emotional development of the child. The inconstancy, discontinuity and low quality of that relationship generates negative consequences in said development and throughout the entire life cycle.
He disorganized attachment style It causes serious problems in the quality of emotional ties and in the constitution of one’s sense of self.
What is disorganized attachment?
The four attachment patterns are divided in two ways. On the one hand, there is the model of secure attachment and the group of insecure (avoidant, anxious, ambivalent and disorganized attachment). On the other hand, we find the organized attachments (secure, avoidant and ambivalent anxious attachment) and the disorganized attachment.
Disorganized attachment is characterized by feelings of fear towards the attachment figure, derived from their negative experiences in this relationship (abusive, aggressive, indifferent or insensitive). However, the child seeks proximity to the caregiver (and at the same time experiences the contradiction of fleeing from them), despite these bad experiences, so the fear does not disappear and the role of victim continues.
The quality of organization/disorganization It is the one that has the greatest significance for the association with future psychopathology. The main difference between organized and disorganized attachments is that the former have a strategy against stress, which can be secure or insecure, with its different implications in each case. However, disorganized attachment lacks a strategy to deal with their emotional dysregulation.
This disorganized model is distinguished by low self-esteem, incoherent behaviors, loss of contact with reality and different cognitive disorders.
What is BPD?
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a serious, chronic mental disorder characterized by a constant pattern of instability in unstable moods and behaviors, as well as in self-image and interpersonal relationships.
Difficulty regulating emotions and thoughts, impulsive behaviors, and unstable personal and social relationships are the most common features that define this disorder.
Characteristics of BPD associated with disorganized attachment
Studies indicate that insecure, ambivalent and disorganized attachments predominate in people with BPD. Others even point out that these early attachment problems are a causal factor of this disorderalthough for some it is difficult to link this theory about the origin of BPD with the specific symptoms it presents.
According to some contributions, ambivalent attachment would be the most frequent in this type of pathology. However, they are disorganized attachments show more severity in BPD.
Likewise, the deficits inherent to disorganized attachment have been investigated in relation to BPD; for example, the mentalization deficits and difficulties in social relationships. In this regard, it has been found that both seem to influence the development of the disorder.
On the other hand, disorganized attachment is related to dissociative disordersaccording to other authors, and the admitted borderline disorders also agree that they usually suffer from severe dissociative disorders.
Likewise, there is evidence that many people with BPD have been victims of abuse, abandonment or unstable relationships during childhoodanother characteristic of disorganized attachment.
Thus, family attachment factors seem to be important for the development of Borderline Personality Disorder, although other factors must be taken into account, such as genetic and biological factors.
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