The connection between disorganized attachment and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been actively studied over the past decades. Research shows that children with disorganized attachment often display behavioral traits similar to ADHD symptoms, as well as common genetic markers affecting the dopamine system.
What is disorganized attachment?The term describes a child’s behavior that combines contradictory reactions toward a significant adult: seeking closeness while simultaneously avoiding it (Main & Solomon, 1990). For example, when meeting their mother, a child may initially run toward her, then stop, turn around, and run away, showing hesitation.
Other observed behaviors include:
- freezing and “pseudo-absence,” resembling a loss of attention;
- motor restlessness with chaotic shifts in activity direction;
- emotional outbursts, including collapsing to the floor in a state of affective overload, not related to oppositional behavior (Solomon & George, 1999a).
Why does this happen?One explanation is a disorganized internal working model of attachment. The mother may be both a source of protection and a source of fear for the child — for example, if in attachment situations she behaves aggressively or, conversely, passively and fearfully (Hesse & Main, 1990).
Connection with ADHDChildren with ADHD are more likely to have a disorganized attachment pattern than their peers without the diagnosis. Moreover, both groups have been found to share similar gene polymorphisms responsible for dopamine receptor function. This may indicate that genetic predisposition can be triggered by traumatic experiences or adverse family interactions (Brisch, 2002b, 2004a).
The role of traumaTraumatic events (neglect, abuse) are associated with the development of disorganized attachment in 80% of cases (Cicchetti & Barnett, 1991; Lyons-Ruth et al., 1987, 1989).
Even if the mother does not have obvious trauma, her chaotic and inconsistent behavior in interactions with the child can provoke the development of such a pattern (George & Solomon, 1996, 1999a).
Example: Children from Romanian orphanages
Longitudinal studies of children who grew up in deprivation and were adopted into well-functioning families showed that many retained signs of ADHD and attachment disorders even years later (Rutter et al., 1999; O’Connor et al., 2000). The more severe the early experiences, the more pronounced the symptoms (Kreppner et al., 2001).
Why behavioral therapy doesn’t always workIf ADHD in a particular child is rooted in trauma and attachment disruption, behavioral approaches may temporarily reduce symptoms but will not address the underlying cause. In such cases, trauma-focused therapy, including work with parents to stop the intergenerational transmission of trauma, is more effective (Lyons-Ruth et al., 1993).
Conclusion: Disorganized attachment and ADHD may share common roots — a combination of genetic vulnerability and traumatic experiences. Understanding this link helps tailor therapy more precisely, focusing not only on behavior but also on the deeper causes.