What is RAD? It occurs whenever a child's basic physical and emotional needs are neglected during infancy. This results in child developing a resistance to social interaction, their seeking of isolation, their being difficult to comfort, and their avoiding physical contact, especially from caregiver.

While RAD may sound like PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), they are different from each other. Usually PTSD is a "starting point" for a child to be diagnosed with RAD. They are similar in that: (1.) Both have been caused by trauma. (2.) Both cause night terrors. (3.) Both lead children to have tantrums or shut down in fear over incidents that remind them of traumatic event. These children may even act blank at times, seemingly loosing their place in time. (4.) They rage after being exposed to something that reminds them of frightening situation - hitting, punching and seeming to fight for their lives. (5.) They are hypervigilant (constantly on high alert). The primary difference between RAD and PTSD lies in fact that due to trauma in RAD children being caused by their first primary caretakers, these children are not easily comforted by their caretakers. RAD children also resist social interaction and physical contact.