<unk>  is a broad term intended to describe disorders of mood, behavior, and social relationships arising from a failure to form normal attachments to primary care giving figures in early childhood. Such a failure would result from unusual early experiences of neglect, abuse, abrupt separation from caregivers after about age 6 months but before about age 3 years, frequent change of caregivers or excessive numbers of caregivers, or lack of caregiver responsiveness to child communicative efforts. A problematic history of social relationships occurring after about age 3 may be distressing to a child, but does not result in<unk> .
The term<unk>  is most often used to describe emotional and behavioral problems of young children, but is sometimes applied to school-age children or even to adults. The specific difficulties implied depend on the age of the individual being assessed. Thus, no general list of symptoms of<unk>  can legitimately be presented.
There are currently two main areas of theory and practice relating to the definition and diagnosis of<unk> , and considerable discussion about a broader definition altogether. The first main area is based on scientific enquiry, is found in academic journals and books and pays close attention to attachment theory. It is described in ICD-10 and DSM-IV-TR as Reactive<unk>  of various types. The second area is controversial and is found in clinical practice, on websites and in books and publications, has little or no evidence base and makes controversial claims relating to a basis in attachment theory.The use of these controversial diagnoses of<unk>  is linked to the use of controversial attachment therapies to treat them.
(Chaffin et al, 2006, p78)
Thirdly, some authors have suggested that attachment, as an aspect of emotional development, is better assessed along a spectrum than considered to fall into two non-overlapping categories. This spectrum would have at one end the characteristics called secure attachment; midway along the range of disturbance would be insecure or other undesirable attachment styles; at the other extreme would be
non-attachment. (O'Connor & Zeanah, 2003) Diagnostic criteria have not yet been agreed. (Chaffin et al, 2006)
Finally, the term is also sometimes used to cover difficulties arising in relation to various attachment styles which may not be disorders in the clinical sense.
The present article will consider ways of looking at attachment-related problems ranging from mild to serious.
Attachment disorder
Reactive attachment disorder
Spectrum disorder
Disinhibited attachment disorder
Emotionally unstable personality disorder
Fetishistic disorder
Dependent personality disorder
Exhibitionistic disorder