Abstract
This response to Mercer’s article explores some additional ways of conceptualizing and treating reactive attachment disorder (RAD). The limitations of the DSM descriptive model are explored and alternate empirically supported models are described. One key limitation is DSM’s one person, medical approach, which fits poorly with issues of attachment that are inherently interpersonal and interactive. Differences by age in the presentation of RAD, and in how it is treated are also addressed. The challenges for parents of children who have RAD are explored, and for clinicians who lack solidly research supported treatments for this disorder.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Advocates for Children in Therapy. (n.d.) Victims of attachment therapy and its parenting methods. Retrieved April 28, 2018, from http://www.childrenintherapy.org/victims/victims.html.
American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed., text revision). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.
Bakermans-Kranenburg, M., VanIJzendoorn, M., & Juffer, F. (2005). Disorganized infant attachment and preventive interventions: A review and meta-analysis. Infant Mental Health Journal, 26, 191–216.
Boris, N., Hinshaw-Fuselier, S., Smyke, A., Scheeringa, M., Heller, S., & Zeanah, C. (2004). Comparing criteria for attachment disorders: Establishing reliability and validity in high risk samples. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 43, 568–577.
Byrne, J. (2003). Referral biases and diagnostic dilemmas. Attachment & Human Development, 5, 249–252.
Drisko, J., & Zilberstein, K. (2008). What works in treating reactive attachment disorder? Parent’s perspectives. Families in Society, 89, 476–486.
Pandya, A. (2012). Children with reactive attachment disorder: Building hope for the future. NASW Practice Section in Child Welfare [unpaginated online document]. Retrieved April 28, 2018, from https://www.socialworkers.org/assets/secured/documents/sections/child_welfare/newsletters/2012%20Child%20Welfare%20Newsletter%20-%20Fall_OLD.pdf.
Pignotti, M., & Thyer, B. (2009). Use of novel unsupported and empirically supported therapies by licensed clinical social workers: An exploratory study. Social Work Research, 33, 5–17.
Rutter, M. (1997). Clinical implications of attachment concepts: Retrospect and prospect. In L. Atkinson & K. Zucker (Eds.), Attachment and psychopathology (pp. 17–46). New York: Guilford Press.
Rutter, M., Colvert, E., Kreppner, J., Beckett, C., Castle, J., Groothues, C., … Sonuga-Barke, E. J. (2007). Early adolescent outcomes for institutionally-deprived and non-deprived adoptees. I: Disinhibited attachment. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 48, 17–30.
Zeanah, C. (1996). Beyond insecurity: A reconceptualization of attachment disorders of infancy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64, 42–52.
Zeanah, C., & Boris, N. (2000). Disturbances and disorders of attachment in early childhood. In C. Zeanah (Ed.), Handbook of infant mental health (2nd ed., pp. 353–368). New York: Guilford Press.
Zilberstein, K. (2006). Clarifying core characteristics of attachment disorders: A review of current research and theory. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 76, 55–64.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Drisko, J.W. Ongoing Challenges in Conceptualizing and Treating Reactive Attachment Disorder. Child Adolesc Soc Work J 36, 97–100 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-018-0548-2
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-018-0548-2