Healing attachment trauma can be a long process. Prolonged brakes in loving connection, invalidation, and trauma are usually needed to disrupt a child’s attachment style. One or two events likely won’t be enough. This is why healing attachment trauma can take a long time. It is the profound neglect and lack of connection that needs to attachment wounds that take time to heal. Trauma therapy can help to heal these wounds.
Forms of Attachment Trauma
Attachment trauma can take many forms. Some of these include:
- Caregiver neglect – a child does not receive basic needs to thrive
- Emotional neglect – caregivers do not provide an emotional connection or support
- Different forms of abuse – referencing physical or sexual abuse – emotional abuse is noted above
- Death a caregiver – no one knows when they may pass away and losing a parent unexpectedly can be challenging
- Prolonged separation from caregiver – military deployments or incarceration
- Caregiver mental health symptoms – can impact the quality of the relationship and an adult’s ability to attune to a child’s needs
Attachment Trauma’s Impact on Life
If someone does not heal from past attachment trauma it can negatively impact their life in various ways.
First and foremost, through attachment we not only develop the ability to navigate relationships with others but so to oneself. This can impact an individual’s sense of self-worth, esteem, and overall confidence in life. This then can impact school performance, relationship, and career path(s).
Secondly, attachment trauma may also impact one’s ability to engage in healthy friendships or romantic relationships. This is because, through attachment, we learn how to regulate and soothe emotion and the nervous system. If these are left un-regulated they can cause interpersonal issues.
Lastly, challenges with attachment can disrupt one’s ability to trust oneself and others. I separated this topic due to the pervasiveness of this challenge. Trust in one’s ability to carry out tasks effectively or to have the confidence to resolve a problem with efficacy can hinder one’s quality of life. Furthermore, if we are constantly second guessing others’ motives and actions, they will be driven away by our actions. This can inadvertently increase isolation.Â
Healing Attachment Trauma
Although attachment trauma during childhood can cause challenges. Attachment trauma can be healed. Targeting attachment trauma with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy can help heal the nervous system and integrate past life experiences so they lose their toxicity. An EMDR therapist can bring peace back into your life by increasing self-confidence and esteem to tackle obstacles that life. No longer will you beheld back by a lack of trust that permeates your relationships.
Find an EMDR Therapist Near DU
If you have experienced the challenges of attachment trauma, take the healing step now and call us at 720.295.6703, or submit an online form here. Daniel Gospodarek, LCSW is trained in EMDR therapy and currently has availability for new clients.
