Content Writer - Agnas Ann Thomas
Content Illustrator - Elsa Aziz
Attachment issues fall on a spectrum, from minor issues that may be handled to the most extreme form, reactive attachment disorder (RAD).
Reactive attachment disorder (RAD) can occur in children who have been subjected to extreme carelessness and have not built appropriate emotional ties with their primary caregivers before the age of five. Children establish attachments when they are frequently soothed, comforted, and cared for, and when the caregiver satisfies their needs. A young child learns to love and trust others through attachment with a loving and supportive caregiver, to recognise that others have feelings and needs, to manage their emotions, and to establish meaningful relationships and a positive sense of self. A child's prospects could be seriously hindered if he or she does not receive emotional warmth during those formative years.
SYMPTOMS
Reactive attachment disorder has more than just behavioral issues. A pattern of constrained and emotionally withdrawing conduct toward adults is required for a diagnosis of reactive attachment disorder.
When you're upset, you rarely or never seek comfort.
Unable to respond to others with the same range of emotions that you would expect
Express no feelings of regret, remorse, or sorrow
Avoid making eye contact.
Avoid physical touch, especially with caretakers.
They can be sore or audacious, disobedient or argumentative if they are not justified by their age and situation
Feeling depressed for no apparent reason
DIAGNOSIS
Although lab testing cannot diagnose RAD, your doctor may request a series of tests to determine the nature of your symptoms. If symptoms are caused by a physical disease or medication, a neuroimaging test or a blood test may be ordered. If a child's troubles do not have a physical origin, doctors will typically send them to a child and adolescent psychiatrist or psychologist. These professionals have received specific training to diagnose and treat mental problems in children and adolescents. During the examination, they will rule out other options for the child's unusual behaviour, such as autism spectrum disorder.
RAD can harm a child's physical, emotional, behavioral, social, and moral development if it is not treated. Children with RAD are more likely to develop:
Depression,
abrasive and/or obnoxious behavior,
In school, there are learning difficulties and behavioral issues.
Lack of ability to form meaningful relationships with others
An eating disorder develops.
Low self-assurance
Abuse or reliance on alcohol or drugs
Attachment problems impact 52 percent of juvenile offenders, according to researchers. The vast majority of those children had been exposed to early trauma or neglect.
TREATMENT
Treatment of RAD has two important goals-Providing a loving, stable, and safe environment for a child with reactive attachment disorder (RAD) is the first step in treating the disorder that is providing a safe environment. This is important in the cases where the child has been abused or neglected. Therapy won't be effective if the child is being moved from one foster care to another.
The caregiver is often the focus of RAD treatment. Counseling may be useful in resolving issues that are affecting the caregiver's connection with the child, as well as their behaviour toward the child. Educating them with regard to nature and nurture can also aid in the development of empathy and attachment. One therapeutic approach is play therapy. This technique allows both the child and the caregiver to communicate their emotions, concerns, and needs. This technique allows the child and caregiver to communicate their feelings, concerns and wants in a safe environment through play. No medication can be used to treat RAD. However, medication may be used by the doctor to help manage severe behavioral symptoms such as explosive anger or sleeping issues.
Can RAD be seen in adults?
In adulthood, RAD can have devastating consequences. If the signs and symptoms of RAD are not treated in infancy, the negative behaviors associated with RAD have the potential to persist into adulthood... If RADs are not addressed in childhood, it might lead to an adult diagnosis of RAD.
The RAD of adults will have a significant influence on their lives, impacting every aspect of their life that needs interaction with people. Adults with RAD are unable to fully experience relationships, whether they be professional ties with coworkers, platonic bonds with closest friends, or romantic bonds with an intimate partner, because they lack a positive sense of self. Furthermore, their mental health may be compromised. As a result, people commonly have maladaptive beliefs, sentiments, and actions, which can flow into their personal relations. Individuals with RAD frequently have difficulties in interpersonal connections due to the following factors:
They are unconcerned about other people's feelings.
They are hesitant to express their emotions to others.
They stay away from physical contact.
They are devoid of empathy.
However, not every adult with RAD brings these behavioral patterns into their relationships, but for many, these personality traits can be harmful to their professional and personal development. Adults with reactive attachment disorder may also feel compelled to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol, which can lead to addiction and even more stress in their life.
A youngster can grow to trust and love their parents with the right care and patience. Although it's rare for attachment issues to progress to full-blown RAD, it's critical to recognize the warning signs so you can establish a healthy relationship with your adopted child as soon as possible.
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