Reactive attachment disorder of childhood

This code signifies a severe and persistent disturbance in social relatedness in a child, characterized by inhibited, emotionally withdrawn behavior towards adult caregivers. It arises from a history of extreme insufficient care, such as persistent neglect, repeated changes of primary caregivers, or rearing in unusual settings that severely limit opportunities to form selective attachments.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates a child exhibits a consistent pattern of inhibited, emotionally withdrawn behavior toward caregivers, coupled with evidence of pathogenic care. This diagnosis requires a history of neglect or deprivation, not merely a preference for solitude or shyness.

• Differentiate carefully from F94.2 (Disinhibited attachment disorder), which presents with indiscriminate social behavior.
• Ensure documentation explicitly links the attachment disturbance to a history of extreme insufficient care.
• Do not use for normal variations in attachment or for conditions like Asperger's syndrome (F84.5), which are excluded.