About Reactive Attachment Disorder
Reactive Attachment Disorder is a condition in which individuals struggle to form authentic and loving relationships. Often, they do not trust anyone other than themselves to provide for their needs and safety. Reactive Attachment Disorder can be the result of disruptions, abnormalities and/or trauma during the first few years of life.
Common Causes:
- Abuse/Neglect in the first three years of life
- Multiple primary caregivers
- Separation from birthmother due to hospitalization, incubator, etc.
- Many placements in the foster care system
- Unresolved pain — ear infections, colic, etc.
- In-utero or post-natal maternal alcohol/drug use
- In-utero or post-natal maternal depression
- In-utero or post-natal lack of attunement between mother and child
Common Symptoms In Infants:
- Sensitivity to Touch
- Poor Eye Contact
- Constant Crying/Whining
- Rage
- No Reciprocal Response
- Indifference to Others
- Feeding Problems
Common Symptoms In Children:
- Superficially Charming and Engaging
- Indiscriminately Affectionate with Strangers
- Not Affectionate on Parents' Terms
- Extreme Control Issues
- Lack of Cause and Effect Thinking
- Indifferent to Consequences
- Lying about the Obvious
- Stealing
- Lack of Empathy
- Lack of Conscience Development
- Lack of Eye Contact on Parental Terms
- Destructive to Self, Others, Animals and Property
- No Impulse Control
- Unusual Eating and Sleeping Patterns
- Unsuccessful Peer Relationships
- Incessant Chatter or Persistent Nonsense Questions
- Very Demanding
- Short Attention Span
- Unusual Speech Patterns (Mumbling, robotic speech, talking very softly)
- Constant Movement