Children With Attachment Disorder in Marietta, GA

Children can develop several different types of attachment disorders when they do not emotionally bond with parents or caregivers in a traditional way. This kind of psychiatric illness is primarily divided into two separate types: Reactive Attachment Disorder and Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder. The highly trained pediatricians at Cobb Pediatrics can identify the symptoms and provide guidance around care. Call (770) 425-5331 to schedule an appointment at our office in Marietta, GA today!

Reactive Attachment Disorder

Kids with reactive attachment disorder (RAD) will often avoid interactions with adults because of their negative experiences with them from an early age. Even when they become distressed or upset they will not look to their primary caregiver for comfort.

Children with RAD will commonly experience several of these additional symptoms:

• Seeming sad, fearful, irritable, or withdrawn for no clear reason
• Does not smile often if at all
• Does not reach out to be held or picked up by any adults
• Failure to engage in social interactions with other children
• Does not ask for help or support
• Dislike of peekaboo or other interactive games

Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder

Where children with reactive attachment disorder are often wary of adults, those with disinhibited social engagement disorder are very much the opposite.

According to WebMD Kids with this illness will form instant relationships with total strangers because they are not having their need for affection met by their parents or caregiver. They will often not have a problem with following a stranger anywhere they are taken, and are unlikely to alert their guardian before they wander away.

What Causes an Attachment Disorder?

Many children will develop an attachment disorder based upon unfortunate occurrences early on in their lives. These kinds of situations typically include, but are not limited to:

• Children who have had many different foster caregivers
• Those who have experienced one or more traumatic events
• Kids taken away from their primary caregiver before the two of them had a chance to form a healthy attachment
• Children who have remained in an orphanage for a significant amount of time

When to Seek Help with an Attachment Disorder

If you begin to notice the several concerning symptoms of either attachment disorders described above, please contact Cobb Pediatrics to schedule a consultation. The sooner this is diagnosed, the sooner the child can begin corrective therapy to enable them to form healthy attachments in the future.