
People are always talking about human instincts. Nevertheless, most people might not know what that means. This is a phrase that was borrowed from biology. It reminds us that, at the end of the day, humans are just mammals that…
When a child grows up neglected or not cared enough for, problems may arise. Specifically, the child may develop inadequate social behaviors. Reactive attachment disorder (RAD) or disinhibited attachment disorder (DAD) may develop due to this.
Attachment is the main component of social and emotional development during early childhood. It’s the bond that a baby establishes with their parents or primary caregivers. This bond is a powerful reference for the rest of the relationships that the child will establish during childhood. In many cases, it could also be the reference for the relationships that they’ll establish beyond this vital stage.
The attachment theory offers us a new perspective on human development. What is the attachment bond and how does it serve human beings? If the attachment bond is dysfunctional, what are the pathological effects it may cause? The answers to these questions can help us better understand many important aspects.
Reactive attachment disorder (RAD) develops during childhood. When young children grow up with limited opportunities to selectively bond, they can end up withdrawn and inhibited. As a consequence, they don’t connect with anyone. Neglect, frequent changes in caregivers, or deprivation (for example, in institutional settings) are some the risk factors that can lead to reactive attachment disorder.
These children are often cold and rarely seek out the affection of specific adults, even in case of emotional need. They may also be short-tempered without a specific explanation, or fearful of contact or affection with their caretakers/family.
“What is believed to be essential for mental health is that an infant and young
child should experience a warm, intimate, and continuous relationship with his
mother (or permanent mother substitute – one person who steadily ‘mothers’
him) in which both find satisfaction and enjoyment.”-John Bowlby-
The attachment theory allows us to better understand the complexity of the process by which we survive and integrate into society. From ethology and psychoanalysis, we know that when a human baby is born, they need adults that are willing to meet their vital needs. For example, affection, food, hygiene, care, and mobility, among others.
Parental incompetence is when the attachment figures don’t tune in on the infant’s needs. Severe parental incompetence can manifest itself in one or several of the following ways:
If a child is brought up in severe parental incompetence, they can form inadequate attachment bonds. However, the consequences of parental incompetence will depend on several variables:
It’s understandable that people who grow up under these conditions tend to show abrupt, unpredictable, or impulsive behaviors. They go into relationships with great insecurity, anxiety, and distrust. In some cases, they develop pathologies such as reactive attachment disorder (RAD).