Reactive Attachment Disorder Treatment Options

Conditions & Diseases: Psychological & Mental Health

Reactive Attachment Disorder

Treatment Options

The challenge of rasing a child with reactive attachment disorder can be overcome when the signs of the disorder are recognized early and the entire family can have access to professional help and resources. The treatment of reactive attachment disorder involves a combination of psychotherapy and education about the disorder. This resources are usually provided by a team of medical and mental health specialist with expertise in treating attachment disorders. Usually, the treatment plan is focused around two main goals: (1) to ensure that the child is in a safe environment and (2) to help the child to develop positive interactions and healthy relationships with the parents or caregivers.

Reactive attachment disorder is one of the few psychological disorders that does not respond to traditional psychotherapies because these children are not able to develop a genuine trusting relationship with the therapist.

There is no standard treatment procedure for reactive attachment disorder. However, the treatment approach is focused on (1) working with the caregivers, (2) working with the child-caregiver, and (3) working with the child alone.

When working with the caregivers, the clinician educates the family about the nature of the disorder, how to recognize the symptoms, how to properly manage the child's behaviors and establish positive interaction with them. In most cases, it is recommended for the family to participate in family therapy where the caregivers' feelings of frustration, anxiety, anger, their fears and concerned can be addressed. Also, parents of children with reactive attachment disorder are referred to parenting skills classes, a form of psychoeducation where caregivers can be introduced to discipline methods (that do not involve punishment and yelling) which give the parents a better control over the child's problematic behavior.

The disorder can be also addressed through a dyadic approach, where the clinician works together with the child and parent or caregiver to improve their interaction and the child social behavior. This approach focuses on the parenting strengths of the caregiver and addresses moments of frustration and disengagement in the interaction child-caregiver through suggestions and positive reinforcements.

In some cases, childern can be engaged in child-orientated cognitive behavioral therapy or play therapy. Individual therapy can help children express and process feelings related to the abuse and develop more effective ways to cope with these feelings.

Article by Alina Morrow
MS Psychology
Medical Writer
OmniMedicalSearch.com

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