Psychology

Abnormal psychology points to mental impairments and issues of mental health. Abnormal psychology entails a wide range of mental disorders. With keen interest in children, I wish to explore Reaction Attachment Disorder (RAD) in children (Kaneshiro, 2008). Learn more about causes, symptoms and solutions of reaction attachment disorder. Reaction attachment disorder is a condition, where persons affected experience difficulties in forming loving and lasting intimate relationships .They lack trust with anyone with their needs and safety. These children do not develop conscience, lack empathy and they do not have affection for people and pets. Random attachment disorder is evidence when a child is about five years of age, but those very close to the children such as mothers, caretakers and doctors may notice a child with problems of attachments when the child is as young as one-year-old (Kaneshiro, 2008).

Reactive attachment disorder condition is caused by insufficient attachment relationships to  a child by any specific caretaker at a tender age .In future the child is unable to form any normal and lasting relationship with others. A child experiences poor social development because of lack of secure attachment formed during its tender ages.RAD condition is mainly caused by, lack of attachment care at the tender ages including neglect, abuse, and series of change of primary caretakers. This condition is gradually rising with the ever-increasing rate of broken homes and families due to separations and divorces. Most of the children who suffer RAD condition are from either abusive families or children raised in orphanages (Kaneshiro, 2008). A larger percentage of these children are from orphanages, they generally have had a bigger number of caregivers blocking them from having enough time to develop strong attachments. Most of the relationships they develop are broken prematurely due to the frequent change of caretakers.

There are two categories of RAD inhibited and disinhibited. Children suffering inhibited condition of RAD are emotionally withdrawn and never seek comfort (Kaneshiro, 2008). Children suffering disinhibited RAD condition, are generally sociable, seek comfort and affection.
Irrespective of the category of RAD that a child suffers, they portray a number of similar behavioral traits such as impulsiveness, over activity, do not express attachment with family members and strangers, tell lies, stealing, rough and violent to animals and people among others (Schechter, 2009).

Reactive attachment condition is a recent condition, first described in DSM-3.Advances have made in DSm-4 but diagnoses is still ambiguous due to disagreements of psychiatrists (Glaser, 2006).Responsible parties such as parents and caregivers of children who have symptoms of RAD condition must seek comprehensive tests by professionals in the field of mental health for treatment. They must ensure that they understand risks and underlying benefits of any intervention. Parents should feel free to seek alternatives if their concerns about the diagnosis are not met.

Parenting and looking after children with random attachment condition is an emotionally trying, disappointing and exhausting experience as Nancy Geoghegan narrates of her experience with her six-year-old son (Zeanah, 2004). Parents and caregivers must keep focus of restoring the disorder. Restoration process involves setting realistic goals that call for small forward steps. Children should be made to understand what acceptable behavior is expected of them, repercussions of every step that they take. Patience is important, as you need to focus on small achievements. Caregivers must take charge and remain calm while the child is misbehaving this shows the child the feeling is manageable. Always be available to reconnect with a child after conflicts, this shows consistency and love, which eventually help the child gain your trust (Sheperis, 2003). The child needs to feel loved look for what makes hershe good, act in response to the childs emotional age though the child may act like a younger child. Always create an atmosphere where you can talk, listen and play with the child. Quality time with the child provides an avenue where the child opens up to you and seeks your care and attention (Nevid, 2008). Helping a child out of reactive attachment is a challenging experience that requires a lot of patience before you eventually help the child to be a social being. If this condition is not treated it may permanently affect a childs social interaction.RAD condition is related to depression, anxiety, psychological distress and posttraumatic stress disorder (Kaneshiro, 2008). Early intervention should be made to avoid the complications related.

Concluding, reactive disorder is a recent discovered conditions more advances to explore it must be made. Though RAD is a rare condition, raising awareness of this condition must be mobilized to curb the problem of raising adults who are antisocial and violent in our society.