Reactive Attachment Disorder in Children

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An embryo forms in the uterus of a soon-to-be mother. Already the organism is dependent on its mother and is physically attached to her through the formation of the umbilical cord. After birth, the interactions between the child and its caregivers determine whether this attachment continues on a healthy path or begins to become disturbed. When the latter occurs, children may develop reactive attachment disorder (RAD) Being that this disorder is fairly misdiagnosed and misunderstood, there is not much empirical data as pertains to its etiological bases and epidemiology. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders characterizes RAD has a disorder that occurs when a child has experienced repeated insufficient care. Moreover, children with this disorder really concentrate on attention and attachment that they perceive from the world around them, whether they avoid it (inhibited type) or crave it (disinhibited type). Further research is needed in the years to come in order for RAD to become more recognized and understood. Attachment An infant’s initial contact with the world and their exploration of life is directly through the parent/ primary caregiver. As the child grows, learns, and develops, a certain attachment relationship forms between them and the principle adult present in this process. Moreover, this attachment holds huge implications concerning the child’s future relationships and social successes. Children trust that their parental figure will be there; as a result, children whom form proper attachments internalize an image of their world as stable, safe, and secure. These children will grow independent while at the same time maintaining a connection with their caregivers. (Day, 2006). However, when a child f... ... middle of paper ... ... H. (2009, October 13). Forty-four Juvenile Thieves Revisited: from Bowlby to Reactive Attachment Disorder. . Retrieved February 25, 2014, from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2214.2009.01048.x/full Hall, S.E.K., & Geher, G. (2003). Behavioral and Personality Characteristics of Children with Reactive Attachment Disorder. The Journal of Psychology, 137, 145-162. Retrieved February 25, 2014, from http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00223980309600605#.U2H4vl69ZuY Marwick, H., Minnis, H., Arthur, J., & Alexis, M. (2006, May 9). Reactive Attachment Disorder— A Theoretical Model Beyond Attachment. Retrieved February 25, 2014, from http://eds.b.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=90fcde98-dcd9-465b-b3fd-193bdc468041%40sessionmgr114&vid=2&hid=101 Solomon, J., & George, C. (1999). Attachment Disorganization. New York: The Guilford Press.

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