I know that I talk about Gavin and Reactive Attachment Disorder on this blog but it's clear that many people don't understand.. Believe me, I get it. This isn't something easy to digest.
I thought I would share some of the clinical information about Reactive Attachment Disorder that's has helped me to better understand what's going on.
I've share a ton of personal experience but perhaps the clinical information can help put things into perspective.. <img src="https://lxnxuovarpoeyuzaxuet.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/inline/2013/11/wpid-Rob-tries-to-educate-on-RAD-.jpg" alt="" class="inline-block max-w-full h-auto rounded-xl my-4" loading="lazy" />
This is courtesy of the Mayo Clinic. You can find this information at the following link. All rights and credit belong to the amazing Mayo Clinic. Click *here*.
Symptoms
Reactive attachment disorder begins before age 5. Signs and symptoms of the disorder may begin when the child is still an infant.
Signs and symptoms in babies may include:
Withdrawn, sad and listless appearance Failure to smile Lack of the normal tendency to follow others in the room with the eyes Failure to reach out when picked up No interest in playing peekaboo or other interactive games No interest in playing with toys Engaging in self-soothing behavior, such as rocking or self-stroking Calm when left alone Signs and symptoms in toddlers, older children and adolescents may include:
Withdrawing from others Avoiding or dismissing comforting comments or gestures Acting aggressively toward peers Watching others closely but not engaging in social interaction Failing to ask for support or assistance Obvious and consistent awkwardness or discomfort Masking feelings of anger or distress Alcohol or drug abuse in adolescents As children with reactive attachment disorder grow older, they may develop either inhibited or disinhibited behavior patterns. While some children have signs and symptoms of just one type of behavior, many exhibit both types.
Inhibited behavior. Children with inhibited behavior shun relationships and attachments to virtually everyone. This may happen when a baby never has the chance to develop an attachment to any caregiver.
Disinhibited behavior. Children with disinhibited behavior seek attention from virtually everyone, including strangers. This may happen when a baby has multiple caregivers or frequent changes in caregivers. Children with this type of reactive attachment disorder may frequently ask for help doing tasks, have inappropriately childish behavior or appear anxious. There's little research on signs and symptoms of reactive attachment disorder beyond early childhood. It may lead to controlling, aggressive or delinquent behaviors, trouble relating to peers, and other problems. While treatment can help children and adults cope with reactive attachment disorder, the changes that occur during early childhood are permanent and the disorder is a lifelong challenge.
When to see a doctor If you think your child may have reactive attachment disorder, see a doctor. You may start by visiting your family doctor. However, if your child likely has reactive attachment disorder or another mental health problem, you'll need to see a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness (psychiatrist) for a complete evaluation.
Consider getting an evaluation if your baby or child:
Prefers not to be held Usually likes to play alone Doesn't seek out physical contact Avoids you Will readily go to strangers Seems uninterested in you
Causes
To feel safe and develop trust, infants and young children need a stable, caring environment. Their basic emotional and physical needs must be consistently met. For instance, when a baby cries, his or her need for a meal or a diaper must be met with a shared emotional exchange that may include eye contact, smiling and caressing.
A child whose needs are ignored or met with emotionally or physically abusive responses from caregivers comes to expect rejection or hostility. The child then becomes distrustful and learns to avoid social contact. Emotional interactions between babies and caregivers may affect development in the brain, leading to attachment problems and affecting personality and relationships throughout life.
Most children are naturally resilient, and even those who've been neglected, lived in orphanages or had multiple caregivers can develop healthy relationships and strong bonds. It's not clear why some babies and children develop reactive attachment disorder and others don't.
Risk Factors
Reactive attachment disorder is rare. However, there are no accurate statistics on how many babies and children have the condition. Reactive attachment disorder begins before age 5, usually starting in infancy.
Factors that may increase the chance of developing reactive attachment disorder include:
Living in an orphanage Institutional care Frequent changes in foster care or caregivers Inexperienced parents Extreme neglect Prolonged hospitalization Extreme poverty Physical, sexual or emotional abuse Forced removal from a neglectful or abusive home Postpartum depression in the baby's mother Parents who have a mental illness, anger management problems, or drug or alcohol abuse
Complications
Complications of reactive attachment disorder can continue into adulthood and can include:
Delayed learning or physical growth Poor self-esteem Delinquent or antisocial behavior Relationship problems Temper or anger problems Eating problems, which can lead to malnutrition in severe cases Depression Anxiety Academic problems Drug and alcohol addiction Unemployment or frequent job changes Inappropriate sexual behavior
Treatment
Treatment of reactive attachment disorder often involves a mix of psychological counseling, medications and education about the disorder. It may involve a team of medical and mental health providers with expertise in attachment disorders. Treatment usually includes both the baby or child and the parents or caregivers.
Goals of treatment are to help ensure that the baby or child has a safe and stable living situation and that he or she develops positive interactions with parents and caregivers. Treatment can also boost self-esteem and improve peer relationships.
There's no standard treatment for reactive attachment disorder. However, it often includes:
Individual psychological counseling Education of parents and caregivers about the condition Parenting skills classes Family therapy Medication for other conditions that may be present, such as depression, anxiety or hyperactivity in a child or a parent Special education services Residential or inpatient treatment for children with more-serious problems or who put themselves or others at risk of harm Other treatments for reactive attachment disorder that may be helpful include:
Development of attachment between the child and the child's therapist Close, comforting physical contact Managing reactive attachment disorder is a long-term challenge and can be quite demanding for parents and caregivers. You may want to consider seeking psychological counseling yourself or taking other steps to learn how to cope with the stress of having a child with reactive attachment disorder.
Controversial and coercive techniques The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the American Psychiatric Association, and the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children have all criticized dangerous and unproven treatment techniques for reactive attachment disorder. Controversial practices can be psychologically and physically damaging and have led to accidental deaths.
Some unproven treatments for reactive attachment disorder include:
Re-parenting, rebirthing Tightly wrapping, binding or holding children Withholding food or water Forcing a child to eat or drink Yelling, tickling or pulling limbs, triggering anger that finally leads to submission Beware of mental health providers who promote these methods. Some offer research as evidence to support their techniques, but none has been published in reputable medical or mental health journals.
If you're considering any kind of unconventional treatment, talk to your child's psychiatrist first to make sure it's legitimate and not harmful.
I hope this has given you a bit more perspective and perhaps some insight into my life. I know that it's hard to imagine a child can do some of these things. I ask that you try to understand how difficult is is for a parent to have to come to grips with something like tbis
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