

The first is to ensure that the child is in a safe environment. Treatment of RAD has two important goals. They base their diagnoses on what they’ve been told about the symptoms, and on observation of children’s attitudes and behaviors. Psychiatrists and psychologists use specially designed interview and assessment tools to evaluate children for mental disorders. They’ll assess the child to rule out other causes for their unusual behavior, such as autism spectrum disorder. These mental health professionals are specially trained to diagnose and treat mental illnesses in children and teens. If the doctor can’t find a physical cause for the symptoms, they will likely refer the child to a child and adolescent psychiatrist or psychologist. Tests may include neuroimaging or blood tests, to see if physical illness or medication might be causing symptoms. There are no lab tests to diagnose RAD, but the doctor may use various tests to see what may be causing the symptoms. If a child has symptoms, the doctor may do a complete medical history and physical exam, including a review of the child’s developmental milestones. Reactive Attachment Disorder DiagnosisĪs with adults, mental disorders in children are diagnosed based on signs and symptoms that suggest a particular condition. However, it’s generally believed that RAD is uncommon. It’s hard to know exactly how many children have RAD, since many families never seek help. How Common Is Reactive Attachment Disorder?

Parents or caregivers are hospitalized and separated from the child for long periods.Parents have serious mental health conditions or abuse drugs or alcohol.Live in a children’s home or other institutions.Other risk factors for RAD include these home and parental situations: Repeated changes of primary caregivers that prevent them forming stable attachments (for example, frequent changes in foster care).Constant disregard of the child's basic physical needs.Constant disregard of the child's emotional needs for comfort, stimulation, and affection.This can happen for many reasons, including: RAD develops when attachment between a young child and their primary caregiver doesn’t happen or is interrupted due to grossly negligent care. Reactive Attachment Disorder Causes and Risk Factors A tendency to act younger than their age and to seek affection in potentially dangerous ways.

No preference for their primary caregivers over other people.Inappropriate familiarity or selective in the choice of attachment figures.Failure to seek affection from caregivers and other peopleĬommon symptoms with disinhibited RAD include:.Withdrawal or a mixture of approach and avoidance.Excessive inhibition (holding back emotions).Unresponsiveness or resistance to comforting.

When children get older their RAD tends to take on two patterns, inhibited and disinhibited.Ĭommon symptoms with inhibited RAD include:
