Movies about attachment disorders - Mental Health Related Films
Movies that explore, engage, or offer insight into attachment disorders and the social and psychological issues involved.
Human lives and behaviour are far more nuanced and emotive than any psychiatric diagnostic system or symptom checklist can ever portray.
Most people recognise aspects of themselves in at least a few psychiatric diagnostic categories. The difference between normal and disorder is not straightforward and often has more to do with degree rather than kind, i.e. does it cause big problems?
While movies are not perfect depictions of reality, they often present themes in relatable, enriching, usefully challenging, and thought-provoking ways.
We invite you to explore mental health through movies that raise awareness, open dialogue, present complexity, entertain, and/or normalise experiences.
Click to see the Ultimate List of Mental Health Movies index
What are Attachment disorders?
Attachment disorder is a general term that describes the troubling behaviour and disturbed social relationships that arise when people grow up with limited care and attention from primary caregiving figures during childhood.
In psychiatry, attachment disorders are defined in the DSM-5 (diagnostic manual) as follows…
Not interested in the diagnostic criteria? No problem, scroll down to see the movies.
Abridged DSM-V Diagnostic Criteria of reactive attachment disorder 313.89 (F94.1) | Included for educational purposes
A consistent pattern of inhibited, emotionally withdrawn behaviour toward adult caregivers, manifested by both of the following:
1. The child rarely or minimally seeks comfort when distressed.
2. The child rarely or minimally responds to comfort when distressed.
B. A persistent social and emotional disturbance characterised by at least two of the following:
1. Minimal social and emotional responsiveness to others.
2. Limited positive affect (emotion).
3. Episodes of unexplained irritability, sadness, or fearfulness that are evident even during nonthreatening interactions with adult caregivers.
C. The child has experienced a pattern of extremes of insufficient care as evidenced by at least one of the following:
1. Social neglect or deprivation in the form of persistent lack of having basic emotional needs for comfort, stimulation, and affection met by caregiving adults.
2. Repeated changes of primary caregivers that limit opportunities to form stable attachments (e.g., frequent changes in foster care).
3. Rearing in unusual settings that severely limit opportunities to form selective attachments (e.g., institutions with high child-to-caregiver ratios).
Abridged DSM-V Diagnostic Criteria of Disinhibited social engagement disorder 313.89 (F94.2)
A. A pattern of behaviour in which a child actively approaches and interacts with unfamiliar adults and exhibits at least two of the following:
1. Reduced or absent reticence in approaching and interacting with unfamiliar adults.
2. Overly familiar verbal or physical behaviour (that is not consistent with culturally sanctioned and with age-appropriate social boundaries).
3. Diminished or absent checking back with an adult caregiver after venturing away, even in unfamiliar settings.
4. Willingness to go off with an unfamiliar adult with minimal or no hesitation.
B. The behaviours in Criterion A are not limited to impulsivity (as in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) but include socially disinhibited behaviour.
C. The child has experienced a pattern of extremes of insufficient care as evidenced by at least one of the following:
1. Social neglect or deprivation in the form of persistent lack of having basic emotional needs for comfort, stimulation, and affection met by caregiving adults.
2. Repeated changes of primary caregivers that limit opportunities to form stable attachments (e.g., frequent changes in foster care).
3. Rearing in unusual settings that severely limit opportunities to form selective attachments (e.g., institutions with high child-to-caregiver ratios).
Movies about Attachment disorders
If we missed an essential film about attachment disorders, please let us know. We would love to include it.
Note: Movies may trigger painful memories and emotions. Please use your judgement and ensure support is available if need be.
Movie Title: The Attachment Diaries
Release: 2021
Rated: 6.9
Cast: Jimena Anganuzzi, Lola Berthet, Edgardo Castro
Storyline: A young woman's journey to overcome her troubled past and heal from attachment disorder is explored as she forms unexpected connections, confronts her inner demons, and learns the transformative power of love and emotional resilience.
Movie Title: My Name Is Faith - Watch now on Prime
Release: 2012
Rated: 8.6
Cast: Andy Scott Harris, Leslie Stevens, Carlton Wilborn
Storyline: The story of a 12-year-old girl who suffered from PTSD and a reactive attachment disorder as a result of her childhood trauma.
Movie Title: Mommy - Watch now on Prime
Release: 2014
Rated: 8.1
Cast: Anne Dorval, Antonio-Olivier Pilon, Suzanne Clement
Storyline: A single mom is struggling with her teenager who has ADHD and an attachment disorder. She finds hope when a new neighbour arrives in their lives.
Movie Title: Troubled Child - Watch now on Prime
Release: 2012
Rated: 5.4
Cast: Andy Scott Harris, Leslie Stevens, Carlton Wilborn
Storyline: The story focuses on a family that adopts a child suffering from an attachment disorder.
References and Links
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596
What is attachment disorder?: https://www.healthline.com/health/attachment-disorder-in-adults#attachment-theory
More on reactive attachment disorder: https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-reactive-attachment-disorder#1
Disinhibited social engagement disorder according to Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disinhibited_social_engagement_disorder
Attachment disorder according to Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attachment_disorder
Acknowledgements
The above article was written under my close direction and supervision. However, much credit goes to Charlene Poliquit (my right-hand man) and Andri Eigenberger (my beloved aunt) for their huge efforts in bringing this task to life.
Vincenzo Sinisi
Important:
TherapyRoute does not provide medical advice. All content is for informational purposes and cannot replace consulting a healthcare professional. If you face an emergency, please contact a local emergency service. For immediate emotional support, consider contacting a local helpline.
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