Understanding Disorganized Attachment: Theory and Practice for Working With Children and Adults

by David Shemmings

Disorganized attachment, the most extreme form of insecure attachment, can develop in a child when the person who is meant to protect them becomes a source of danger. Someone with disorganized attachment experiences 'fear without a solution' and it can result in extreme, erratic and disturbing behaviour. This book provides a comprehensive and accessible text on disorganized attachment. It outlines what it is, how it can be identified, the key causes, how it manifests in adulthood, and the implications for caregivers and those within close relationships. It also covers the debate over whether disorganized attachment can repeat down generations within families, and discusses neurological explanations and appropriate interventions. The book focuses on both children and adults and includes case vignettes to root the theory in practice and to illustrate real-life examples of disorganized attachment. With an authoritative research base, this accessible text will be invaluable to undergraduate and postgraduate students in the fields of social care, psychology, counselling and allied health professions, as well as practitioners and academics in these fields.

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Aaron]

I appreciate any stat reliant book for taking the time to thoroughly explain correlation and causation. Also does a great job of making an academic perspective as accessible as possible.

[Harrisology]

It’s an interesting book to read, though is at odds with other literature which do describe disorganised attachment as persisting within patterns beyond other forms of insecure attachment.

[L.E. Heron]

Read for personal interest / therapy homework.