Revisión bibliográfica sobre diagnóstico y atención al Trastorno Reactivo del Apego

Abstract

Reactive attachment disorder (RAD) arises when a secure attachment to primary caregivers does not develop in early childhood as a result of severe experiences, neglect or deprivation, abuse, or abrupt separation from caregivers between six months and three years of age, or as a result of a lack of adequate response by the caregiver to the child’s communication needs. Objectives: To perform a literature review on the assessment, diagnosis and care of reactive attachment disorder. Conclusions: For the diagnosis of reactive attachment disorder, it is recommended to use the DSM-V and ICE-10 criteria, and not to use tools for the detection of patterns or difficulties attachment. Psychotherapeutic interventions are recommended to help children with reactive attachment disorders and their caregivers. Therapy is conducted from two different perspectives: with the caregiver alone or with the child-child pair. The use of video-feedback interventions is recommended. There is an extensive literature available in the field of attachment and attachment patterns. However, in the case of reactive attachment disorders the available evidence is very limited in terms of diagnostic tools and interventions.