Symptoms *  Severe need for control over everyone and everything, bossy *  Argumentative - often over ridiculous things *  Difficulty with eye contact, especially with parents - will look into your eyes when lying *  Superficially charming and engaging *  Demanding/clingy - often at inappropriate times *  Lack of cause and effect thinking *  Indiscriminate affection *  Impulsive *  Hypervigilant/Hyperactive *  Crazy Lying *  Cruel to animals and/or people *  No conscience - shows no remorse *  Destructive to property and self *  Steals *  Incessant chatter and/or nonsense questions *  Speech and language problems *  Developmental delays *  Fascinated with fire, blood, gore, weapons, evil *  Food issues - hordes, gorges, refuses to eat, eats strange things, hides food *  Very concerned about tiny hurts but brushes off big hurts *  Parents appear hostile and angry *  The child was neglected and/or physically/sexually abused in the first three years of life.

Common Causes for Reactive Attachment Disorder *  Abuse/Neglect in the first three years of life *  Multiple primary caregivers *  Separation from birthmother due to hospitalization, incubator, etc. *  Many placements in the foster care system *  Unresolved, ongoing pain - ear infections, colic, etc. *  Maternal alchohol/drug use *  Maternal depression *  Lack of attunement between mother and child *  Young, or inexperienced mother with poor parenting skills.