At Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center, we offer an attachment disorder treatment program as well as dual diagnosis treatment for a co-occurring substance use issue. Let us help your family begin to heal from the destructive effects of an attachment disorder. Contact our team today at 662.373.2828 for more information about this treatment option.
What Is an Attachment Disorder?
Attachment disorders describe mental disorders that young children develop. These children have issues forming healthy attachments to others. Caregivers and parents may notice that these children have problems socializing by their first birthday. Many parents ask their doctor for advice regarding the following issues:
- Failure to gain weight
- Difficulty comforting child
- Severe colic
- Being too close to strangers
- Defiant behavior
- Hesitancy in social situations
- Feeding difficulties
- Detached and unresponsive
Attachment Disorder During Development
As they develop, kids with attachment disorders often have problems with relationships. Some struggle with emotional or physical neglect. Others had inadequate care or may have been in an institutional setting. Some children with attachment disorders have had traumatic losses, such as a previous caregiver.
While the exact cause isn’t apparent, many researchers believe that inadequate care is a significant contributor to this disorder. Additionally, the emotional, physical, and social issues that arise with this disorder continue as a child gets older.
Types of Attachment Disorder
Children with attachment disorders may have Reactive Attachment Disorder or Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder.
Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)
If a child has RAD, they tend to avoid interacting with other people due to bad experiences with adults in their early childhood. It may be difficult for these kids to calm down when they become stressed and do not seek comfort from them. Instead, these children exhibit little emotional interaction with others. They often appear irritable, unhappy, sad, or scared during everyday activities. A RAD diagnosis follows chronic symptoms that do not improve.
Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED)
DSED describes children who aren’t fearful of meeting someone new. In fact, they may be overly friendly and go up to strangers and hug them. Young children with DSED may walk right up to strangers and talk to them. When these children are in an unfamiliar situation, they don’t look to their parents for guidance, even if they’re dealing with someone they’ve never met before.
Attachment Disorder Treatment Program
At Stonewater Recovery, we offer an attachment disorder treatment program for children with RAD or DSED. These children and adolescents need psychiatric assessment and a treatment plan tailored to their needs. Treatment includes individual and family recovery support therapy. Counselors focus on strengthening the relationship between the primary caregiver and the child. If you leave these conditions untreated, they can mar the child’s emotional development during crucial developmental years. Guardians of young children with DSED or RAD should take the following steps:
- Find a reputable psychiatric program with a qualified therapist who can begin treatment immediately.
- Understand the risk and benefits of this treatment.
- Ask questions about the specific program developed for your child.
- Offer input regarding your child’s well-being and about the treatment plan.
Attachment disorders require clinical treatment in order for the child to improve their social interactions with others. If your son has the symptoms described above, bring him to Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center for an evaluation as soon as possible.
Contact Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center Today
Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center is a family-owned, faith-based recovery center that focuses on the treatment of adolescent boys. With care and patience, your son can learn to unlock his feelings and enjoy normal relationships as he moves toward adulthood. Our adolescent addiction treatment center focuses on the underlying issues, such as attachment disorders or substance use. If you need an attachment disorder treatment program that brings your family closer to a successful outcome, contact us at 662.373.2828 today.
