An attachment wound (or trauma) has been defined as "a rupture in the bonding process between a child and their primary caregiver." When needs are consistently unmet, it may create a lack of emotional safety into adulthood.
Attachment wounds may create a tendency to obsess over (attach to) things later in life, such as people/ relationships, money, possessions, work... and/or food and body image.
To fill the emotional gap, we may use these things to find wholeness, belonging, and safety.
We may hook onto things like "clean eating," exercise, appearance, and eating or not eating. These concepts start to feel urgent because they have become substitutes for basic feelings of safe attachment.
However, the promise of wholeness and worth through these substitutes don't quite scratch the itch. They feel conditional and temporary (because they are).
Having awareness of this is like seeing "the man behind the curtain," and was game-changing for me and my relationship to food and body.
If you think this may apply to you, consider working with a professional to explore further.
