Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) – Children
Reactive Attachment Disorder is a rare but serious condition that develops in young children who do not form healthy attachments to caregivers, often due to severe neglect, abuse, or frequent changes in caregivers.
Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) – Children
Reactive Attachment Disorder is a rare but serious condition that develops in young children who do not form healthy attachments to caregivers, often due to severe neglect, abuse, or frequent changes in caregivers. Children with RAD struggle to seek comfort when distressed, may appear withdrawn, avoidant, or emotionally unresponsive, and often have difficulty trusting others. Left untreated, RAD can affect long-term emotional and social development. In Saudi Arabia, RAD may occur in cases of neglect, orphanhood, or disrupted caregiving. However, strong family structures often provide protective factors when consistent caregivers are present.
What constitutes RAD?
Consistent pattern of inhibited, emotionally withdrawn behavior toward adult caregivers, with history of insufficient care, beginning before age 5.
Symptoms and warning signs
- Rarely seeks comfort when distressed
- Limited emotional responsiveness (flat affect, minimal smiling)
- Difficulty forming attachments or trust
- Unexplained fearfulness or irritability
- Developmental delays in severe cases
Causes and risk factors
- Severe neglect or abuse
- Frequent changes in primary caregivers
- Institutional care (e.g., orphanages without stable caregivers)
- Lack of nurturing, consistent parenting
Treatment approaches
- Therapeutic parenting: creating consistent, nurturing environments
- Play therapy and attachment-based therapy: building trust and emotional safety
- Family therapy: guiding caregivers in responsive, sensitive parenting
- Addressing neglect/abuse: ensuring child’s physical and emotional safety
Why Act Center for Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia?
Our experienced attachment therapists in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia provide attachment-focused treatment to help children build secure bonds with their caregivers.
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