ConnectionResources.com [R.A.D. Research : Research Q/A]

Imagine... Having your most important, first relationship with MOM disrupted while an infant or toddler. No one to tuck you in at night, to smile at your first steps, to cry when you went off to school. The most important person, your mom was emotionally unavailable. Beliefs developed that caused you to view yourself as worthless, your mom as untrustworthy and the world as unsafe.

Reactive Attachment Disorder can be produced when the vital first relationship between infant and mom is disrupted for a prolonged period of time. Children can have the attachment and bonding process interrupted by: multiple caregivers, adoption, illness, neglect, abuse, addictions or depression of the primary care giver. With the absence of this necessary relationship, many other difficulties can occur.

Children with this disorder may not develop emotionally. Hyper vigilance and control issues replace trust in caregivers. The children may become frightened if sensing danger of losing control of the environment. They become lock in the states of fight, flight, or freeze. School issues, poor peer interactions, even hygiene are potential problems. Parents become stressed with the weariness when a child avoids intimacy at any cost. Both emotional and physical danger is possible.

Professionals must be educated in the disorder to equip parents with the correct parenting methods, therapeutic interventions, and support to structure the environment for the child to heal. Parents must receive validation of their stressors. Listening ears and brainstorming for solutions can encourage parents to continue the therapeutic lifestyle required for the child. The only way this child can heal is to learn to love these parents. The family system may desire assistance considering siblings and extended family are often effected.

<< Back to the Questions list