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5 Signs of Attachment Disorder in Your Teen

Picture of Stonewater Recovery By   ·  2 minute read
If you are raising a teenager, you probably understand that most of them are trying to establish their independence. You may become frustrated if your teenager does not talk to you regularly. On the other hand, this does not describe every teenager. Some teenagers may suffer from something called attachment disorder. There are a few signs that you should watch for if you are concerned that your teenager may be suffering from attachment disorder. Contact Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center today at 662.373.2828 to learn more about adolescent dual diagnosis treatment.

1. Your Teenager Watches but Does Not Engage

Many teenagers suffer from something called FOMO, which stands for fear of missing out. Teenagers with attachment disorder often suffer from the opposite symptom. If your teenager has an attachment disorder, he or she may be in a social situation where they simply watch other people. There is something fun going on, but they will not engage. This symptom is a sign of attachment disorder. When this happens, your teenager does not want to engage because they do not want to leave your side.

2. Your Teenager Will Not Go To Anyone Else for Help

Even though teenagers are famous for not asking for help, this is a definitive sign of an attachment disorder. Your teen will only go to one person for help. They will only trust you or your spouse. If your teenager is in a situation where they need assistance, and you are not around, they will not ask anyone else for help.

3. Your Teenager Suffers from Unexplained Withdrawal or Fear

If you find that your teenager is feeling sad, fearful, or appears withdrawn, this is another sign of attachment disorder. Even though it is possible that this could be a sign of another mental health issue, this disorder has to be on the table. The faster attachment disorder treatment begins, the more effective treatment is going to be.

4. Your Teenager Does Not Respond To Comfort

The vast majority of people will show at least some sign of appreciation when comfort is given. If your teenager suffers from attachment disorder, then they simply expect to be comforted all the time. A few examples of comfort include:
  • A hug
  • A pat on the back
  • A kiss on the cheek
  • A handshake
When you reach out to give your teenager a hug or some other kind of comfort, they may not react at all.

5. Your Teenager Is Not Smiling

Finally, one small but significant sign that you should watch for is that your teenager is simply not smiling very often. Even though a smile may seem like something minor, it is something that you should watch for if you suspect they have an attachment disorder. If you are noticing that you are not seeing that smile that you know and love very often, this could be a sign that something more serious is going on. It may be time to reach out to help from trained professionals for attachment disorder treatment. That is where we can help you.

Contact the Trained Experts at Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center

If you are looking for help for your teenager, then you should reach out to trained professionals. At Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center, we specialize in the treatment of adolescent boys. We would be happy to help your child as well. We offer a wide variety of programs that can help with a myriad of mental health issues. We provide a wide array of mental health services, including: We will be happy to leverage our experience to help your teenager as well.  Give us a call today at 662.373.2828 to make an appointment with a member of our staff! We would be honored to help you!