Disorders of Social Functioning with Specific Onset in Childhood and Adolescence
It is possible to observe certain prominent traits of a child’s social functioning as early as during the first five years of their life. Often these disorders are the result of the child growing up in a dysfunctional social environment.
Childhood Reactive Attachment Disorder
This disorder tends to be the result of insufficient care, inappropriate educational methods, neglect or abuse of the child by their caregivers. Typical symptoms are increased timidity, insomnia, bad social interactions with peers, aggression towards oneself and others, in some cases even insufficient growth. Expressing positive emotions towards others is limited or entirely missing in the child. Emotional expressions are predominantly negative such as fear, sadness and irritability. The disorder may remain even after changes in the child’s environment or changes in their quality of care. For this reason psychological assistance and support is necessary for the child and their family.
Childhood Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder
During the first five years of life an abnormal pattern of social functioning appears, continuing despite significant changes in the child’s surroundings. The main characteristic is confidential behavior towards strangers, violating social barriers enforced in the local culture. This disorder may be accompanied by delayed development, cognitive deficiencies, slower development of speech, stereotypical behavior and eating disorders.