Common Background Causes of Reactive Attachment Disorder

• In utero maternal drug or alcohol abuse
• Birth trauma
• Unwanted pregnancy
• Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse during the first 3 years of life
• Physical or emotional neglect
• Separation from birth mother early in life
• Chaotic family situation
• Harsh and inconsistent parenting
• Overindulgent parenting
• Multiple changes in living location
• Inadequate day care; multiple care givers
• Frequent moves or placements in the foster care system; failed adoptions
• Traumatic experiences
• Undiagnosed painful illness; unresolved, ongoing pain
• Maternal alcohol or drug use
• Maternal depression
• A lack of attunement between the mother and child
• Young or inexperienced mother with poor parenting skills

Information received in part from experience and observation, but also from:

• Facilitating Developmental Attachment, by Daniel A. Hughes
• When Love is Not Enough, by Nancy L. Thomas
• Handbook for Treatment of Attachment, by Beverly James

Last Modified on: Friday, March 02, 2007