F94: Disorders of social functioning with onset specific to childhood and adolescence
F94.1: Reactive attachment disorder of childhood
As we develop we learn to develop relationships with other people. These relationships are also known as bonds. Bonds with close attachment figures are particularly important in childhood. They may be the child’s parents, for example. The bond with these attachment figures is very strong. We look to these attachment figures for consolation and security, for example. We do not usually trust other people as much. Your behavior towards these attachment figures and other people has changed.
With this disorder, one’s behavior towards one’s own attachment figures changes. For example, one alternates between looking for that closeness to those attachment figures and then avoiding contact with them. One may also behave in an unusual way towards other people. One may be aggressive towards oneself and others. Or one behaves with unusual calm. One is usually anxious and watchful. One often reacts very little when one is spoken to. There is usually a trigger for this disorder.
The disorder begins in early childhood.
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