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Relationship Topics
Understanding Reactive Attachment Disorder
Causes
Trust is the most significant emotional factor developed in the relationship between an infant and a caregiver, the foundation upon which all other emotional and relational skills are established. When an infant feels discomfort, hunger, loneliness or fear, he cries. A caregiver typically responds by providing comfort, food or whatever is necessary to ease or eliminate the problem. This happens so many times that the baby begins to feel secure around the person or people who care for him, leading him to believe that his world is safe.
When an infant cannot trust his primary caregiver, he never bonds with anyone.
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But sometimes a baby’s cries are ignored or the responses are inconsistent. Sometimes the familiar, loving person with whom a child has bonded “disappears” from his world, or there is no familiar person. At worst, a caregiver responds with hitting, shaking or yelling. When an infant cannot trust his primary caregiver, he never bonds with anyone. Instead of learning to trust, he learns fear, anger and disappointment, realizing that he cannot depend on anyone to meet his needs. He is frustratingly alone in a world that he cannot control; yet, his survival depends on his own ability to get what he needs.
Many circumstances can trigger Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD). Of course, parents and caregivers can overcome these obstacles, and not every child who has been exposed to these influences is affected. RAD develops in the earliest years of life, generally before the age of 18 months (although older children and even adults have shown the onset of symptoms following trauma).
Examples of experiences that can provoke RAD include:
- abuse, neglect or abandonment
- adoption or foster care
- multiple changes in daycare providers
- painful illness or prolonged hospitalization
- separation from caregiver (divorce, prison, death, serious illness)
- inconsistent or inappropriate parenting
- exposure to alcohol or drugs
- trauma while still in the womb
- maternal depression, substance abuse or other psychological illness
- parent with attachment disorder
- witness or victim of violence
Research indicates that up to 80 percent of children exposed to risk factors develop attachment difficulties. The good news is that the challenges can be overcome and families can survive the disorder. Learning to recognize the symptoms and getting help early can prevent years of frustration and pain for the children, their families, their teachers and all the people invested in their lives.
— Alexandra Lütz
Do you have thoughts, questions, advice on this topic? Post your stories and comments in the forum for other parents to respond to. Enter the forum now.
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