Reactive Attachment Disorder: A New Understanding.pdf

Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) is a mental health diagnosis listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IVTR) under disorders usually first diagnosed in infancy, childhood, or adolescence. RAD was initially introduced to the mental health community about 20 years ago, and much of the information regarding this disorder has painted a dismal and often dangerous picture of these children. However, the main premise of RAD is that the child cannot socially connect or attach to others in interpersonal relationships due to traumatic experiences, such as unwanted pregnancy, separation from the birthmother, death of a parent, premature birth, inconsistent caretakers, abuse, neglect, chronic pain, and long-term hospitalizations. These experiences interrupt the child's ability to learn to self-regulate through the relationship with the parent, leading to an underdeveloped regulatory system. As a result, the child operates from a paradigm of fear to ensure their safety and security, exhibiting behaviors such as oppositional, frequent and intense anger outbursts, manipulative or controlling, and destructive to self, others, and property. A more appropriate term to use with children is "attachment-challenged" instead of "RAD child," as they are challenged to connect and their ability to make connections is restricted when stressed.