Hello, atlassiddartha-ga!
Attachment Disorder is rooted in childhood and, if left untreated at
an early age, will carry through into adulthood and affect an
individual's relationships and ability to negotiate through life. I
have to express my sorrow for your son and my utmost admiration for
you in your desire to help him as he struggles with attachment
disorder in adulthood.
You have asked if there is any kind of treatment for adults with
attachment disorder. The answer is "yes", although intensive therapy
is required and must involve a cooperative and willing adult.
I am wondering where your son was diagnosed with Attachment Disorder?
Was it in Florida by an experienced mental health practitioner? If so,
did the doctor have any referrals for doctors near Jacksonville?
It may be worthwhile to get a second opinion from an experienced
psychiatrist since your son's symptoms could be indicative of other
forms of mental illness. For example, schizoid personality disorders
are commonly characterized by a severe lack of interest in social
relationships, inability to feel pleasure, emotional flatness, etc.
Please see the characteristics outlined on the following site:
http://www.pipeline.com/~dada3zen/schizoid_per_dis.htm
If you are desirous of seeking a second opinion, the Mayo Clinic in
Jacksonville would be an excellent place to start. They may also have
a therapist on staff that can work with your son specific diagnosis.
Please see their website: http://www.mayoclinic.org/psychiatry-jax/
Contact phone numbers for the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville are on the
following page: http://www.mayoclinic.org/contact/
You have also asked if there are any therapists in the Jacksonville,
Florida area who work with attachment disorder. While I have found
several therapists in Florida (though not necessarily near
Jacksonville) who work with children, I have not found any that
specifically work with adults. This does not mean they would not be
willing to do so. However, you will need to make some phone calls to
inquire about their practice or to get some referrals for your son.
My answer includes an overview of adult attachment disorder and the
common symptoms as well as some examples of therapy for adults. I have
also included the names of therapists in Florida along with referrals
to other doctors well-versed in attachment disorder who may be able to
provide you with some suggestions for treatment in Florida.
==
The following excerpt from the "Evergreen Consultants in Human
Behavior" website describes not only the characteristics of adult
attachment disorder but the type of therapeutic regimen used at the
clinic.
From "Attachment Disorder." Evergreen Consultants in Human Behavior.
http://attachmenttherapy.com/whatis.html
"Unresolved childhood attachment issues leave an adult vulnerable to
difficulties in forming secure adult relationships. Patterns of
attachment continue through the life cycle and across generations. New
relations are affected by the expectations developed in past
relationships. There is a strong correlation between insecure adult
attachment and marital dissatisfaction and negative marital
interactions. If an adult does not feel safe with others, he/she will
tend to be either rejecting of their partner or overly clingy."
"Attachment problems are often handed down transgenerationally unless
someone breaks the chain. As a parent, an insecurely attached adult
may lack the ability to form a strong attachment to their child and
provide the necessary attachment cues required for the healthy
emotional development of the child thereby predisposing their child to
a lifetime of relationship difficulties."
"Depending on the genetic personality style of the individual and the
early life events experienced, insecurely attached adults fall in one
of two categories of insecure attachment:
AVOIDANT
---------
Intense anger and loss
Hostile
Critical of others
Sensitive to blame
Lack of empathy
Views others as untrustworthy
Views others as undependable
Views self as unlovable or "too good" for others
Relationships feel either threatening to one's sense of control, not
worth the effort, or both
Compulsive self-reliance
Passive withdrawal
Low levels of perceived support
Difficulty getting along with co-workers, often preferring to work alone
Work may provide a good excuse to avoid personal relations
Fear of closeness in relationships
Avoidance of intimacy
Unlikely to idealize the love relationship
Tendency toward Introjective depression (self critical)
ANXIOUS/AMBIVILENT
------------------
Compulsive Caregiving
Feel overinvolved and underappreciated
Rapid relationship breakups
Idealizing of others
Strong desire for partner to reciprocate in relationship
Desire for extensive contact and declarations of affections
Overinvests his/her emotions in a relationship
Perceives relationships as imbalanced
Relationship is idealized
Preoccupation with relationship
Dependence on relationship
Heavy reliance on partner
Views partner as desirable but unpredictable (sometimes available, sometimes not)
Perceives others as difficult to understand
Relationship is primary method by which one can experience a sense of security
Unlikely to view others as altruistic
Sensitive to rejection
Discomfort with anger
Extreme emotions
Jealous
Possessive
Views self as unlovable
Suicide attempts
Mood swings
Tendency toward anaclitic depression (dependent depression)
GOALS OF THERAPY
-----------------
Identify early losses
Mourn the loss of that which never was but yearned for deeply
Provide closure to the unresolved relationship longings with parental
attachment figures
Reorganize belief system and physiological reaction to attachment relationships
"Gratefully, attachment styles are not fixed in stone and with either
positive life experience or appropriate therapeutic intervention and a
strong desire for change adults can alter their relationships and
experience true intimacy and closeness."
ADULT INTENSIVE
---------------
3 hours of therapy per day Monday through Friday.
"Homework" assignments designed for self-exploration may require time
during the afternoon or evening.
Alternate models of body/mind therapy may require time during the afternoons.
Intimate partners are invited to join in therapy during part or all of treatment.
Generally 6 to 10 therapy days are required, although in certain
situations a shorter duration may be adequate.
===
The Attachment Treatment and Training Institute in Evergreen, CO
provides another overview of how attachment disorder may manifest
itself in different "adult types". Please be aware that this is very
general and your son may not fit into any of these category types.
See "Corrective Attachment Therapy for Adults and Couples." Evergreen
Psychotherapy Center. http://www.attachmentexperts.com/adult.htm
Also read "Adult Attachment." Evergreen Psychotherapy Center.
http://www.attachmentexperts.com/adult-more.htm
==
Also read "Cognitive Therapy with Attachment Challenged Adults," by
Margaret Meinecke, LCSW, CAC III. Institute for Attachment and Child
Development.
http://www.instituteforattachment.org/entry/results.php?article_id=17
=========
The following therapists in Florida work with children who have
attachment disorders. It would be worth calling them to see if they
have any experience working with adults, or could provide a referral.
Kelduyn Garland
Lakeland, Florida
863-859-2088
Attachment Therapist
Elaine B. Baker
2770 Cardinal Circle
Gulf Stream, Florida
561-735-1348
Treatment
Linda J. Hojnacki - 2
Gift of Life Community Services
4437 Park Boulevard
Pinellas Park, FL 33781
727-423-7811
Fax 727-547-6752
Robin M. Reisert, LCSW
Private Practice/Christian Counseling Ministry
539 Versailles Drive
Maitland, FL 32715
407-539-0001 x 526
Fax 407-539-0121
Charles (Chuck) H. Wyre
1615 Woodward Street
Orlando, FL 32803
407-856-7221 x1
Fax 407-896-9670
Carol J. Crow, LMHC, NCC, BCETS
Attachment Therapist
EMDR Institute Facilitator
EMDRIA Approved Consultant in EMDR
Diplomate, American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress
Florida Institute for Family Attachment
INSIGHT Counselors, P.A.
2902 Busch Lake Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33614
(813) 915 - 1038
(813) 933 - 9758 (fax)
For more information: www.insightcounselors.com
(Also read about her work with a new type of therapy called EMDR
http://www.insightcounselors.com/EMDR.htm)
** The following two facilities offer intensive therapy to adults who
suffer from attachment disorder. I would recommend that you call both
of them, explain your situation, and ask if they can provide names of
therapists in the Jacksonville area who might work with your son.
PEACHTREE ATTACHMENT RESOURCES LLC
165 PEACHTREE LN, ATHENS, GA 30607
Phone: (706) 227-0044
Evergreen Consultants In Human Behavior
28000 Meadow Dr. Suite 206
Evergreen, Co 80439
303.674.5503
303.674.8769-fax
==
Yahoo provides a restricted list for those who would like to join an
online community to discuss issues with attachment disorder. It is
possible you could also find others familiar with treatment as an
adult.
If you would like to join, go to:
"http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Attachment-Disorder/
"This list is for all who have been touched by any form of attachment
disorder: adults who live with it, parents of children who live with
it, teachers, and family members. It is designed to provide a source
of information, encouragement and support, and DOES NOT replace the
advice of a qualified physician or therapist when necessary."
==========
I do wish to reiterate that the most helpful first step might be an
evaluation at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. The clinic's
psychiatric unit you should not only be able to provide a second,
accurate diagnosis but also offer referrals to the best therapist in
your area.
I again commend you for seeking help for your son. I imagine you are
very concerned and I wish you and your son the very best of luck in
finding a therapist who can provide help.
Sincerely,
umiat-ga
Google Research Strategy
adults with attachment disorder
Florida "attachment disorder"
jacksonville Florida psychiatric diagnosis |
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