Allan Schwartz, LCSW, Ph.D. was in private practice for more than thirty years. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the states ...Read More
Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) is extremely rare and, yet, has been used as a diagnosis to treat children with a harmful treatment called “Attachment Therapy.”
Psychologist and specialist in child development, Dr. Jean Mercer, runs a blog called, “Child Myths.” In it she writes about RAD and other misinformation about children and their disorders. She is particularly concerned about the mistreatment and abuse of children treated with unconventional and harmful methods. The blog can be found at:
http://childmyths.blogspot.com/
Michael Shermer, PhD, adjunct professor who writes and lectures about the history of science as well as psychology, wrote a telling article in Scientific American called, “Death by Theory.” In it, he discusses the dangers of “pseudo-science” because it’s been used to treat justify theories and unconventional psychotherapies that are harmful and dangerous. His article can be found at:
Therapists are Standing By to Treat Your Depression, Anxiety or Other Mental Health Needs
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=death-by-theory
In both cases, Dr. Mercer and Dr. Shermer, discuss Reactive Attachment Disorder and it’s misuse. Certain unconventional therapy was used to treat this rare disorder. The treatment is called “Attachment Therapy.” Attachment Therapy along with it’s “re birthing” methods, resulted in the injury and death of several children. The fact that these were foster children left them more vulnerable to this type of thing.
Basically, case workers used incorrect information about RAD to label children, when they complained about being in pain nothing more than faking because they had RAD. Later medical evaluation showed very real fractures.
The therapists who conducted these fake therapies that resulted injury and death were convicted an imprisoned.
My purpose in writing this article is to convey several warnings:
1. Be very cautious about who you see for psychotherapy, whether it’s for children or adults. Psychotherapists are licensed in each state. There are licensed clinical psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, medical doctors and family therapists. You have a right to ask for proof of licensing. Never see someone who refuses to show you their license. Credentials can be checked on line at the state government sites that deal with licensing each professional. Any bad marks against them will be listed.
2. As a first step for yourself or your child, talk to your family physician and pediatrician first and ask him for a referral.
3. In my opinion, it’s safer to stay within the boundaries of conventional psychotherapies and medications than to venture out into anything else. Of course, alternative therapies such as hypnotism, yoga, meditation are all right. If you are not getting results then consult your physician and psychotherapist.
4. Always remember that in any type of therapy, whether medical or mental, the established facts are used to conduct treatment and not the other way around. In other words, factual information should never be used to support theories. As an example, a child who complains about a painful stomach should be brought to the pediatrician. Adults should never dismiss pain as nothing more than a child faking it, wanting to stay home from school or demonstrating the psychological symptoms of some mental illness.
Always be suspicious of the diagnosis of Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD). Again, consult your medical doctor. RAD is extremely rare. You can find out more about this at:
http://www.ChildrenInTherapy.org
Your comments are encouraged.
Allan N. Schwartz, PhD
