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My own anecdotal experience matches this.

I have a (now adult) child who was diagnosed with Reactive Attachment Disorder. She changed friends every 6 months, burning bridges behind her. She also cultivated the least-healthy friendships possible in whatever environment she found herself in.

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What was the etiology?

Entered foster care at 2 due to abuse and neglect; we were her fourth placement in 7 months; weekly mandated visits with neglectful mother and monthly mandated visits with abusive grandmother for 2 years before termination of parental rights. She had nightmares until 3am after every visit with grandmother. We adopted her at 5.

This sounds terrible. Thank you for saving her.

Believe me, we didn't save her; she's doing as well as she is because of the hard work she put in (particularly in her later teenage years). I hope the environment we provided helped her in that, but I don't think I can take much of the credit.

How is she doing now?

Pretty well, all things considered.

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