Reactive Attachment Disorder

Reactive attachment disorder (RAD) is a condition where a child doesn’t form healthy emotional bonds with their caretakers (parental figures), often because of emotional neglect or abuse at an early age. Children with RAD have trouble managing their emotions. They struggle to form meaningful connections with other people. Children with RAD rarely seek or show signs of comfort and may seem fearful of or anxious around their caretakers, even in situations where their caretakers are quite loving and caring.

Who does reactive attachment disorder affect?

Reactive attachment disorder is most common among children who experience physical or emotional neglect or abuse. While not as common, older children can also develop RAD. Children may be more likely to develop RAD if they:

• Have many different parent figures, like multiple foster care situations.
• Were taken away from their primary caretakers after bonding with them emotionally.
• Experienced several traumatic losses early in life.
• Have parental figures who didn’t try to become emotionally close to them.
• Spent time in an institution, like an orphanage, where they didn’t have a loving parent figure.

In some cases, parents who adopt children without knowledge of the child’s history might have trouble forming a bond with the new addition to their family, especially if the child has any emotional instability. If you are a new parent and your child shows symptoms of RAD or you have difficulty connecting with them, talk with your child’s healthcare provider for an evaluation.

How common is reactive attachment disorder?

The exact rate of occurrence is unknown since many cases aren’t reported, but reactive attachment disorder can occur in up to 1% to 2% of children. Kids who are removed from their homes and placed in other settings, like foster care, are much more likely to experience RAD. Almost half of these children have difficulty developing relationships over time.