the psycholoist dealing with my son thinks he has reactive attachment disorder?

Question

i have 3 children my youngest child has always been difficult he is nearly 13 now and has for a long while now been in the psychiatric loop problems with behavior initially thought to be adhd.I have just found out they think it is reactive attatchment disorder i have read literature on this and i dont understand i let my children go to live with their father after the breakdown of our marriage for a better life. it was a difficult decision to make i thought it was for the best our sons were always paramount during this transition and were surrounded by loving people. his formative years were the same as the others if anything i was over protective of him as i knew he was my last baby and i wanted to savour every moment could this diagnosis be right? he was nearly 6 when he went to live his dad i understand the major upheaval in his life can this condition exist if not all the intial categories are right?

Answer 1

Well I wouldn't think a Psychologist would be an expert on reactive attachment disorder, I think this would require very expert psychiatric evaluation. It is a very difficult diagnosis to make even by the most proficient and experienced. Also, although his childhood had some disruptions, they are no different to what a lot of children go through and not nearly traumatic enough to be the cause of any severe disorder.
I'd be looking for another opinion if I were you.

Answer 2

Reactive Attachment is a pretty heavy duty diagnosis. If you aren't convinced, you could always look for a second opinion . I don't know your son's symptoms, so I can't be sure if he fits the criteria or not. I am a therapist at a residential boys home, and I work with many boys who have RAD.

Don't blame your self for your son's current problems. It sounds like you made difficult decisions with his best interest in mind. And, to your credit, you're trying to help your son be successful now. Focus on what you can to do help him currently, and talk with your psych about your concerns.

Good luck to you and your son.

Answer 3

As the parent you have a right to ask how he arrived at this diagnosis and have him/her explain the how's and why's. Ask some of the same questions you have asked here. If you're still not satisfied with his response and/or diagnosis by all means seek a second opinion and ask for about their qualifications.

Answer 4

If you disagree with the diagnosis (I have no idea whether it's correct), can you dispute it with the psychiatrist, or get him/her to explain their reasons for it?