How Reactive Attachemt Disorder Affects Children

      Reactive Attachment Disorder is a newer psychological disorder that doesn't have as much in depth research as other disorders. The one things psychologists know about RAD is that its a fairly rare and can deeply affect the child. RAD stems from attachment theory because the theory says that caregivers should start nurturing appropriately at birth, otherwise a child wont be able to form attachments easily and how their basic needs won't be met. Children who are able form attachments and bonds at a young age are more likely to higher development success rates versus children who don't.

    What is Reactive Attachment Disorder?

     RAD can be defined by an "infant or young child not establishing healthy attachment with parents and caregivers. It may develop if the child's basic need for comfort, love, affection, and nurturing aren't met and loving, caring, and stable attachments aren't establish" ( Mayo Foundation, 2017). Reactive Attachment Disorder will appear usually when a child has endured hardships or traumatic experiences in their critical periods of life. The Child Development Institution states that, "children who have faced emotional abuse, physical abuse, neglect, or have been involved with inadequate care in out-of-home placements, for example foster care, residential programs or orphanages" ( Fernandez, 2017).  Over the years, studies haven't been able to show the exact cause of RAD, but many psychologists believe that children can be affected by multiple situations, environments, and outcomes.

     What are the Symptoms of Reactive Attachment Disorder?

     Symptoms for RAD will usually appear between the time period of infancy to five years of age. Research hasn't been able to find Reactive Attachment Disorder starting at any older stages of a persons life.

Symptoms may involve:

- Indiscriminate sociability
- Withdrawal that is isn't readily explained
- Not seeking comfort
- Detached

Reactive Attachment Disorder will affect multiple aspects of the child's life. This chart shows how the child's different development categories will be affected:

 

     How will the Child be Affected by Reactive Attachment Disorder?

     This disorder is very serious because studies have shown that a child will be dealing with RAD for the rest of their lives because of nonexistent cures and treatments for RAD. Children who haven't been affected by RAD will be able to rationally think out possibilities and outcomes. They are able to see that their family is able to be a positive influence in their life, so they will model their behavior and morals after their family members. Children who have been affected with RAD view the world differently. They see the world as that they only have to survive for themselves and everyone else is out to get them. This idealism will cause behavioral problems. The problems stem from the fact that they weren't properly nurtures as infants and they feel that they have to fight for their own basic needs. Children with Reactive Attachment Disorder will do whatever is necessary to be satisfied, even if it means breaking laws and inflicting violence. Children with RAD seek instant gratification and aren't able to see the consequences of their actions.

     Reactive Attachment Disorder is a disheartening disorder that does affect few children, but those who are affected by RAD will have to deal with it for the rest of their lives, even when it was caused by external forces. In the future, hopefully psychologist will be able to find a cure or treatment for RAD. What people need to remember is that even though these children can be the most difficult to deal with, they didn't ask to have this disorder affect them for the rest of their lives.

    
Links:

http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-reactive-attachment-disorder#2

https://childdevelopmentinfo.com/child-psychology/reactive-attachment-disorder/#.WLUADIWcHIU

https://www.drugs.com/mcd/reactive-attachment-disorder