Re: reactive attachment disorder

[Jennifer Guimond <jguimond@xxxxxxx>]

Reactive attachment disorder is a relatively new diagnosis, but it has
been receiving media attention in the past year or two because it has
been seen in many adopted eastern European children who came from
institutions.  Basically, it's essential feature is very disturbed and
developmentally inappropriate social relatedness, especially with
caregivers (see DSM-IV).  Onset occurs by age 5.  In presentation, these
children are often very aggressive, either toward themselves or others.
They respond to caregivers with conflicted feelings and ambivalence.
Disruptive behavior can escalate when a caregiver attempts to get
emotionally close to the child.

Reactive attachment disorder results from extreme abuse or neglect where
the child's needs for comfort, stimulation, and affection are
consistently not met.  This occurs not only in abusive homes, but also
when children change placements often or when children are placed in an
institutional care setting (such as the orphanages in eastern Europe).

Reactive attachment disorder is different from the commonly used
attachment classifications.  It goes far beyond insecure attachment
patterns, such as avoidant, conflicted, and disorganized.   These
children are very disturbed because they do not trust or bond with anyone
at a very early age.

This information comes mostly from the DSM-IV and my clinical experience
working in a psychiatric hospital with children.  Hope it helps!

Jennifer Guimond
Northern Illinois University

Jennifer Fitchett wrote:

> I've run across an article describing "Reactive Attachment Disorder".
>  It describes aspects of presentation in children which are
> particularly relevant to my work, and thus I'm seeking further
> research on this disorder.  Is this the same thing as "Attachment
> Disorder" or is it slightly different?
> Jennifer A. Fitchett, MSW
> Staff Associate, Children's Division
> American Humane Association
> Phone (303) 792-9900
> Fax (303) 792-5333
> NOTE NEW EMAIL ADDRESS
> jenniferf@americanhumane.org