Kathy was an overachiever—an economist, technical writer, and classical singer married 27 years to her college sweetheart. It looked like Kathy was fine. But deep within her hid a pain from infancy so severe that a cascade of adult life crises finally triggered it. And once it exploded, the pain was unbearable.  

Kathy discovered she was suffering attachment disorder, a psychological condition potentially affecting almost half the US population. caused by traumatic stress in the first three years of life.  Attachment disorder correlates with the nation’s 50 percent divorce rate and widespread mental health issues. Yet no one talks about its prevalence, and hence so many sufferers go untreated, forced to live with their pain in silence—without a hint of its cause.   This was certainly true for Kathy. But when her initial forays into psychiatric help failed, Kathy decided to treat herself. It was a mistake that almost cost her life.

My chat with Kathy will resonate with anyone who suffered from a difficult childhood, or those who are currently struggling with finding or maintaining intimate relationships.  The good news is there's hope! Kathy’s story also shares a multitude of help and healing that are out there.