Can attachment disorder be cured?

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders (DSM) has 2 diagnoses that are used to diagnose “attachment-style” disorders.  These are Reactive Attachment Disorder and
Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder.  Both disorders are indicative of a disordered-like attachment style, but each presents differently.  Reactive Attachment Disorder involves children who do not have healthy attachments with their primary biological caregivers or any adult caregivers.  Typically, these children often have difficulties controlling their emotions and establishing meaningful relationships with both adults and children alike.

Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder involves children the oftentimes form deep, meaningful connections with people outside of their primary adult caregivers.  This becomes an issue because these children often form these meaningful attachments without discretion and sometimes with strangers.

Since both disorders are reserved for children, there are not technically attachment disorders associated with adults.  However, we do see facets of disordered and insecure attachment in different mental health diagnoses given to adults.  An example is that of Borderline Personality Disorder, where attachments can be disorganized. This comes out in Borderline Personality Disorder in the concept of “mental splitting,” where someone with Borderline Personality Disorder will either devalue someone or place them on a pedestal.

That leaves the question, though, can attachment disorder or disordered attachment be cured?  The answer is not straightforward.  Although the effects of having disordered/insecure attachment might not completely go away, a person can work on coping skills and different means of handling distress that comes with a disordered attachment to counteract some of the negative impacts that it has on them and within their relationships. 

Take, for example, someone who has a disorganized attachment style as a result of Borderline Personality Disorder.  While they might still struggle with the urge to either idealize different people or completely hate them, different therapy methods might teach them how to use strategies that teach them how to view people as “whole” human beings with both flaws and positive attributes existing at the same time.  Then over time, it might become second nature for someone with these struggles to analyze their view of people and their view of their relationships and become less reactive or prone to implementing negative coping skills within that dynamic.