Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)

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Reactive attachment disorder Reactive attachment disorder, also known as RAD, is a health issue among many that affects children from all around the world. Although scientists don’t have the exact number of how many children have been diagnosed because most families don’t seek out help, it is believed to be uncommon (“Mental Health: Reactive Attachment Disorder”). The reason most families don’t seek out help is because the condition is very easily overlooked by caregivers. It is also looked upon as not a real condition by some but most are just not aware of what the disorder is. Reactive attachment disorder can be described as the failed development or awkwardness in social relatedness before the age of five. (“Children Mental …show more content…
In recent years, the diagnosis of RAD has changed just a bit and there have been two different types of RAD which are labeled as inhibited and disinhibited. Both types of RAD affect how that child will later on handle social interactions. Inhibited reactive attachment disorder is where the child has become detached from people and all social interactions with others. On the other hand, disinhibited reactive attachment disorder is where the child is quick to attach to anyone from strangers to poor role models. RAD diagnosed children with these social difficulties and disorganized behavior leads them to many other very concerning conditions. These other conditions can range from post-traumatic stress disorder and conduct disorder to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (Kemph & Voeller, 2007). RAD is a very scary condition that can be prevented and for those children with RAD there are also ways to treat …show more content…
There may be some counseling involved but there is no medication for it. According to Shi (2014), there are three stages that must be done to successfully help treat RAD. The first step is to ensure that the child feels like he’s in a safe haven. Make sure the child feels welcomed and protected. The second step is for the guardian to start establishing a bond with the child but at appropriately small steps. After that, the third step is to start strengthening that attachment by spending more time and showing that the guardian cares about the