Because RAD is lacking a background of significant research due to its rarity, the causes and risk factors as to why children develop reactive attachment disorder are not entirely conclusive. Some examples of causes that have been linked to possibly impacting the development of RAD include:
Central Nervous System (Brain and Spinal Cord) and Peripheral Nervous System (Cranial Nerves, Spinal Nerves, and Ganglia). This is the control center for the entire nervous system.All body sensations must be relayed from receptors to the CNS if they are to be interpreted and acted on. All of the nerve impulses that stimulate muscles to contract and glands to secrete must also originate in the CNS.
1 The anterior pituitary secretes hormones that affect sexual development, thyroid function, growth, skin pigmentation, and adrenocortical function. 2  If the anterior pituitary is underactive, it can lead to dwarfism in childhood and underactivity in other endocrine glands.