| Title:
What do chronic lying, stealing, fire setting, killing animals, and hoarding food have in common? |
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2028-10-28 |
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Parenting & Child Development |
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Healing the Family Heart What do chronic lying, stealing, fire setting, killing animals, and hoarding food have in common? Everything.
(NC)—Each of these behaviors is related to a psychiatric diagnosis that is quickly becoming recognized by mental health professionals across the nation as Reactive Attachment Disorder. Once a little known, seldom recognized mental health diagnosis, Reactive Attachment Disorder has become the new buzz word of the mental health industry. Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) was first introduced about twenty years ago. Since that time much of the information regarding this disorder has painted a dismal and often dangerous picture of those diagnosed with it, most often children. Books and articles have compared children with RAD to serial killers, rapist, and hard-core criminals. Unconventional parenting techniques have been taught to parents in order to control these children—children referred to as "disturbed" or "unattached."
The main premise of RAD is that the child cannot form positive, lasting relationships. The RAD child seems unable to socially connect with or attach to others. Many of their behaviors appear very frightening, and downright dangerous, leaving parents feeling resented, blamed, and chastised by others. Such behaviors include defiance, frequent and intense anger outbursts, manipulative or controlling patterns, little or no conscience, destructive to self, others, and property, gorging or hoarding food, and preoccupation with fire, blood, or violence. For more information on RAD and these associated behaviors the reader can visit www.postinstitute.com/rad.htm
The causes are complicated. Typically any traumatic experience occurring from conception to the first 5 years of life can create the potential for attachment challenges. Some examples are physical or sexual abuse, neglect, parental depression, pre-mature birth, birth trauma, domestic violence, or frequent moves. These can all be contributing factors to a child's ability to form attachment. Such events impact the child's ability to tolerate stress and anxiety, exposing them to ongoing states of fear. Over time, this constant state of fear leads to an inability to trust others even after years of diligent care.
B. Bryan Post PhD, LCSW is an internationally recognized expert in the treatment of children and families struggling with issues related to trauma, attachment and bonding. A free copy of Dr. Post's parenting book For All Things A Season and past articles can be downloaded at www.postinstitute.com. Questions can be sent to [email protected].
- News Canada |
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