Learn about Reactive Attachment Disorder Treatment in India — how it works, who it is for, recovery timelines, and what to expect before and after surgery. Compare hospitals and doctors experienced in Reactive Attachment Disorder and request assistance for cost estimates or appointments.

About Reactive Attachment Disorder

Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) treatment by a psychologist is a specialized, non-invasive therapeutic process designed for children who have experienced severe neglect, abuse, or inconsistent caregiving in early childhood, leading to profound difficulties in forming healthy emotional bonds. The psychologist employs evidence-based attachment-focused therapies to help the child develop trust, security, and appropriate social-emotional connections with caregivers. This involves creating a safe, predictable therapeutic environment, coaching caregivers in responsive and nurturing techniques, and directly working with the child to process trauma and build relational skills. The goal is to rewire maladaptive attachment patterns, reduce problematic behaviors like withdrawal or indiscriminate sociability, and foster the capacity for secure, lasting relationships, which is foundational for lifelong mental health.

Key Highlights

    Focuses on building secure, trusting relationships between child and caregiver.Addresses the root cause of emotional and behavioral issues stemming from early trauma.Empowers caregivers with specific, responsive parenting strategies.Non-invasive and does not involve medication as a primary treatment.Can significantly improve a child's long-term social, emotional, and cognitive development.

Who is this surgery for?

  • Diagnosis of Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) or Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED).
  • History of severe neglect, abuse, or multiple changes in primary caregivers before age 5.
  • Persistent emotional withdrawal from caregivers or lack of seeking comfort when distressed.
  • Indiscriminate, overly familiar behavior with unfamiliar adults (in disinhibited type).
  • Co-occurring behavioral problems like aggression, defiance, or extreme control issues.
  • Failure to thrive emotionally or socially despite a safe and stable current environment.

How to prepare

  • Comprehensive diagnostic assessment by the psychologist to confirm RAD/DSED and rule out other conditions.
  • Gathering a detailed history of the child's early care, placements, and traumas.
  • Pre-treatment meetings with caregivers to set realistic goals and explain the therapeutic process.
  • Creating a stable, predictable, and safe home environment to support therapy.
  • Ensuring caregiver commitment, as their participation is critical to success.

Risks & possible complications

  • Initial increase in difficult behaviors as the child's defensive patterns are challenged.
  • Emotional distress for the child and caregiver during the processing of traumatic memories.
  • Risk of therapeutic rupture if trust-building is inconsistent.
  • Slow progress, requiring significant time, patience, and financial commitment.
  • Potential for caregiver burnout due to the intensive nature of the therapy.

Recovery & hospital stay

  • Recovery is a long-term process measured in months to years, not days.
  • Involves regular, ongoing therapy sessions (often weekly) with the psychologist.
  • Daily implementation of therapeutic parenting techniques at home is essential.
  • Progress is monitored through gradual improvements in trust, affection, and regulated behavior.
  • Follow-up assessments are conducted to adjust the treatment plan as needed.
  • Support groups for caregivers can be a valuable part of the ongoing recovery process.
  • checked Typical hospital stay: 0 days (outpatient therapy)
  • checked Expected recovery time: Ongoing process (6 months to several years)

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are considering reactive attachment disorder in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.

Procedure cost in other countries

Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for reactive attachment disorder compare across other countries where we have data.

Country Estimated cost range Typical stay Recovery time View details
India INR 800 – 2.5 Thousand 0 days (outpatient therapy) ~ Ongoing process (6 months to several years) Know More
Turkey TRY 2.8 Thousand – 8.75 Thousand 0 days (outpatient therapy) ~ Ongoing process (6 months to several years) Know More
PATIENT REVIEW

Angel Ali is a 7-year-old boy...

Angel Ali is a 7-year-old boy who was adopted from an orphanage at age 4 after experiencing severe neglect in his early years. His adoptive parents, Maria and David, are loving but struggling. Angel shows no preference for them over strangers, rarely seeks comfort when hurt, and can be superficially charming with new people while being cold and controlling at home. He has explosive tantrums over minor issues and hoards food in his room. Their pediatrician, concerned about the profound emotional disconnect, referred them to Dr. Evans, a child psychologist specializing in trauma. Dr. Evans diagnosed Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) and recommended a course of Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP). Treatment involved weekly sessions where Dr. Evans coached Maria and David in creating a safe, nurturing, and predictable environment, using PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy) to connect with Angel during his dysregulation. It was emotionally grueling; Angel would often reject their attempts, and his parents felt profound grief and inadequacy. After 18 months of consistent therapy and a radical shift in parenting approach, Angel began to make slow but real progress. He now occasionally seeks a hug from Maria when scared, his tantrums are less severe and more manageable, and he has started to call them 'Mom' and 'Dad.' The emotional journey was from despair and confusion to cautious hope. The family is not 'fixed,' but they are securely attached and building trust day by day.

Psychologists for Reactive Attachment Disorder

Explore experienced psychologists who regularly perform reactive attachment disorder and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.

Dr. Ushasi Banerjee
  • 10 Years Experience
  • Psychologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Sneha Dey
  • 10 Years Experience
  • Psychologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 700
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Dhakuria, Kolkata

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Shweta Sharma
  • 16 Years Experience
  • Psychologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1200
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Ms. Mariah Teresa Lobo
  • 10 Years Experience
  • Psychologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 2000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Goa , Panaji

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Barnali Ghosh
  • 30 Years Experience
  • Psychologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 2000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Salt Lake, Kolkata

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Smaranika Tripathy
  • 14 Years Experience
  • Psychologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1500
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Salt Lake, Kolkata

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Shivanee Tripathy
  • Years Experience
  • Psychologist
Consult Charge ₹ 800

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar

OPD-desk synced • Updated