Faisal A Islam, Walter Duffy and Zia Choudhry
Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) is characterized by relational deficits that arise during the formative period and generally attributed to the presence of 'pathogenic' care. 'Pathogenic' care may encompass primary caregiver maltreatment and/or neglect as well as children raised under the guidance of institutional care. As a mental health illness that can be diagnosed during infancy, early recognition and therapeutic management may prevent progression and/or affect severity of disease; RAD manifestations are observed before the age of 5.