REACTIVE ATTACHMENT DISORDER (DSM-IV)

Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) was first introduced in 1980 in DSM-III
(APA, 1980) and modified in DSM-IIIR (APA, 1987) and DSM-IV (APA, 1994).
DSM describes pathogenic care by primary carer as the underlying cause of the
disorder and described two subtypes, ‘inhibited’ and ‘disinhibited’.
RAD is characterised by disturbed social relatedness in most contexts. The
inhibited pattern is characterised by inhibition of normal attachment seeking.
Children appear withdrawn or ‘unattached’. This pattern has been observed in
neglected children. The indiscriminate pattern is characterised by diffuse and
unselective attachments. Children may show ‘indiscriminate sociability’ and
over-friendliness. This has been observed in children in foster-care who have
experienced multiple placements.