[nrlm]

Greetings all,

I am an adoptee who has just realized there is a name for this 'thing' I have been experiencing. There is a great deal of treatment for children and adolescents, what is available for adults? Are there books? I am sure therapy will help...anything else anyone knows about?

Thanks!
nrlm

[LaurelX]

I'd love to know too. A lot of folks seems to believe that reactive attachment disorder is "only for children," and that if we manage to stagger through to adulthood without treatment, we develop some other, more common personality disorder. Frustrating, isn't it? All I can suggest is looking for a therapist near you who is receptive to the "radical" notion that adoptees are different than other people. I know they exist, but I haven't found one in my area yet.

Have you tried Googling? I seem to remember coming across a RAD treatment center or two for adults, but none of them were anywhere near me. There used to be an "Adult RAD forum" somewhere, but I can't find it this evening; maybe I'm using the wrong search terms. Best of luck. You're not alone.

[imtimm2]

Hiya Nrlm,
Just like you, I was validated in finally being able to put words to what I had felt my whole life. I spent some time working individually with a therapist, and found this site and chat to be extremely support in the diffucult times. There are several books for adoptees in the road to emotional wellness, I think you'll be surprised how many people will identify with you!

[kerry lynn]

There is a site called Attachment Disorder Support Group. It offers many forums including those for children with RAD, treatment options, and Adults with RAD. Be prepared to sit and read for quite a while!

[vrefkin]

Hello, my name is Valerie Refkin. I am a psychology doctoral student and am very interested in attachment. I am currently doing research on child attachment but have had the opportunity to work with attachment disordered adults. There are psychologists who do therapy from an attachment perspective, you just have to ask what theory they use with clients.

There is actually a lot of research on adult attachment out there. Attachment style originates from childhood, and is relatively stable, but not entirley inflexible. Hazen and Shaver 1987 developed the first self report measure of adult attachment. Bartholomew and Horrowitz 1991 desinged a questionnaire called the Relationship Questionnaire. These questionnaires help to identify what attachment sytle you have. You can also read up on what they all mean, how it developed, and what it looks like in adulthood. that should give you some perspective. the first step in creating change is to understand the current behavior. George Kaplan and Main 1984/1996 developed the adult attachemtn interview.

The original attachment researchers were john bowlby and mary ainsworth. that will give you a background in attachment.

There is a website where Dr. Fraley posts his Experiences in Close Relationships Revised questionnaire where you can take it and score it on-line. the site is www.psych.uiuc.edu/rcfraley/measures/ecrr.htm

I'm not sure if there are specific treatments for adults with attachment disorder. but understanding where it came from definaltey helps. there is also the idea that attachment patterns are passed down from parent to child based on the way one parents. if one has insecure attachment they are likely to parent in a way that facilitates the development of insecure attachment in thier child. I think understanding the casue of insecure attachment is the first step. secondly, find a therapist who can work with you who understands attachment theory and can work with you on this.

I hope some of this is helpful! best wishes for a successful journey!!!!!

[sajofo]

HI,
this web site by Dr Fraley, doesn't open to anything, I can enter.
Any other ideas, or ways to get in to it.
Sajofo