I have a daughter that had the reactive attachment disorder diagnosis. She had the disinhibited type. She was 3 when she came to us and got her diagnosis 10 months later. I am thankful to say that with the help of an amazing attachment therapist, lots of prayer and hard work and love she has lost her diagnosis. I have also adopted two older girls (10 and 12 at the adoption) that grew up in orphanages in Russia. Thankfully they do not have the diagnosis of rad. but mild attachment issues, but I have studied up on it in preparation. My uncle is a child psychiatrist and we have had many conversations about this.
And one of the symptoms for rad is cruelty to animals. This can easily be googled. My daughter never had this but her brother did. Many times there is also a lack of empathy. (this symptom is very common). They do not realize they are hurting the animal.
Cruelty to animals is a symptom of severe reactive attachment disorder. It usually starts with small things and then progresses to more severe things like in the op. Sometimes, if there is no healing, it can turn into a lack of conscious and empathy which can let these people move onto humans. I should have said personality disorder, not borderline personality disorder, like conduct disorder or antisocial personality disorder, which can all progress from untreated rad.
Editted to add:
And one of the symptoms for rad is cruelty to animals. This can easily be googled. My daughter never had this but her brother did. Many times there is also a lack of empathy. (this symptom is very common). They do not realize they are hurting the animal.
Cruelty to animals is a symptom of severe reactive attachment disorder. It usually starts with small things and then progresses to more severe things like in the op. Sometimes, if there is no healing, it can turn into a lack of conscious and empathy which can let these people move onto humans. I should have said personality disorder, not borderline personality disorder, like conduct disorder or antisocial personality disorder, which can all progress from untreated rad.
Editted to add:
Identifying Attachment Disorder
The Child:
Superficially charming, acts cute to get what he/she wants.
Indiscriminately affectionate with unfamiliar adults.
Lacks genuine affection with primary caregivers (especially mother).
Controlling, bossy, manipulative, defiant, argumentative, demanding, impulsive.
Preoccupation with fire, death, blood, or gore.
Cruelty to animals, destruction of property, aggression toward others or self.
Destructive, accident-prone.
Rages or has long temper tantrums, especially in response to adult authority.
Poor eye contact, except when lying.
Blames others for their problems.
Lacks self-control.
Lacks cause and effect thinking.
Lies, steals, shows no remorse, no conscience, defiant.
Hoards or sneaks food, strange eating habits.
Poor hygiene: wets or soils self.
Has difficulty maintaining friendships.
Underachiever.
Persistent nonsense questions and incessant chatter.
Grandiose sense of self lacks trust in others to care for him/her.
from:
http://attachmenttherapy.com/ad.htm
I am sorry for whatever caused you to have RAD, and I am happy that you love animals. Sadly that is not always the case.
The Child:
Superficially charming, acts cute to get what he/she wants.
Indiscriminately affectionate with unfamiliar adults.
Lacks genuine affection with primary caregivers (especially mother).
Controlling, bossy, manipulative, defiant, argumentative, demanding, impulsive.
Preoccupation with fire, death, blood, or gore.
Cruelty to animals, destruction of property, aggression toward others or self.
Destructive, accident-prone.
Rages or has long temper tantrums, especially in response to adult authority.
Poor eye contact, except when lying.
Blames others for their problems.
Lacks self-control.
Lacks cause and effect thinking.
Lies, steals, shows no remorse, no conscience, defiant.
Hoards or sneaks food, strange eating habits.
Poor hygiene: wets or soils self.
Has difficulty maintaining friendships.
Underachiever.
Persistent nonsense questions and incessant chatter.
Grandiose sense of self lacks trust in others to care for him/her.
from:
http://attachmenttherapy.com/ad.htm
I am sorry for whatever caused you to have RAD, and I am happy that you love animals. Sadly that is not always the case.
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