PERSONALITY

DISORDERS:
ATTACHMENT
Nick Raspberry
E-Portfolio (Final Essay)
Julia Intawiwat

Since I took the psychological approach, I can only

hypothesize my findings. There is no way to prove whether
Chris McCandless truly had a personality disorder or not
because he is now deceased, and never was diagnosed with a
psychological disorder.
Therefore, we can assume or maybe predict that McCandless
may have indeed suffered from a disorder, but unfortunately,
this theory can only not be proved.

INTRODUCTION

Attachment disorders are the psychological result of significant

social neglect, that is, the absence of adequate social and
emotional caregiving during childhood, disrupting the normative
bond between children and their caregivers.

Those that experience attachment issues at a young age usually

have experienced neglect from parents, mistreatment by peers,
and a sense of vulnerability.

Those that struggle from attachment disorders have problem

starting and maintaining relationships with others, trusting
individuals, being social settings, unwillingness to show
affection, etc.

ANALYSIS- ATTACHMENT
DISORDERS

Noted in the introduction, we cannot diagnose McCandless. None of us are

psychologists, and even they cannot diagnose someone who isnt living anymore.

The argument to be made is yes Chris may have had a personality disorder.
Although which one? Did he know about it and just didnt inform anyone?

We can really only draw conclusions only by basing his relationship with his
parents. (and the relationship between themselves) Chris only really seems to be
personally detached from his mother, and especially father. Though he appears
very close with his sister, and throughout his journey he makes some
unforgettable friendships with random people. He is cautious before getting too
close with anyone, before he flees.

Aside from McCandless, those that suffer from attachment disorders are typically
hard to diagnose. Just because someone may possess some of the symptoms,
doesnt necessarily infer that they have a disorder. Common misperception.

ARGUMENT/ISSUE

Secure: recently formed secure attachments in childhood

generate a strong dependency, desire to be close with others
Dismissive: those who have had avoidant attachments in
childhood will typically suppress their feelings, and insensitive
to others
Preoccupied: constantly need others approval, though even
with it, it still doesnt depleat their feeling of worthlessness
Fearful-Avoidant: living in the past experiences (bad) every
time something good is going they feel threathened by the
potential bad

THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF

ATTACHMENT ISSUES WITH NOTABLE
CHARACTERISTICS

The main issue is that Chris can probably fit into all these
categories, that was the joy of this assignment. After
becoming increasingly frustrated trying to pinpoint one
specific disorder, it is evident that he cannot be placed into
only one description.

WHICH ONE FITS CHRIS

MCCANDLESS?

PsychAlive. "What Is Your Attachment Style?" PsychAlive. N.p.,

25 Apr. 2016. Web. 9 Dec. 2016.
"Reactive Attachment Disorder v. Attachment Disorder."
Children in Therapy. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2016.
Lubit, Roy H. "Attachment Disorders Differential Diagnoses."
Attachment Disorders Differential Diagnoses. N.p., 8 Oct.
2015. Web. 25 Oct. 2016.

WORKS CITED