[Attachment theory as the basic principle for understanding psychopathological development and inpatient treatment]

There seems to be an as yet unresolved question as to whether attachment behavior is an innate factor or whether it is an outcome of primary social relations. On the basis of Bowlby's researches as well as on Emde's, the author argues that attachment is an innate developmental factor that needs external impact, meaning parental care, to evolve and develop. The two cases presented here reflect similar expressions of alienation and detachment as well as essential differences. In the first case, the child has lost his innate ability and urge for social attachment due to severely defective care during early infancy, mainly desertion. In the second case, the child expresses clear attachment ability, yet, due to the deviant care, this ability has developed into disturbed attachment patterns. In both cases, it is claimed that only comprehensive treatment, which is in a way removed from reality, may "rekindle" the innate attachment ability of the first child and lead the second child unimpaired attachment behavior.