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What is disinhibited social engagement disorder?

Disinhibited social engagement disorder (DSED) is an attachment disorder characterized by a pattern of behavior that involves culturally inappropriate, overly familiar behavior with relative strangers. The prevalence of DSED is unknown.

What does DSED look like?

Risk Factors

  • Serious social neglect

Prognosis

  • Caregiving quality can moderate the effects of the disorder

Differential Diagnosis

  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

References

[1] American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA.

[2] Boyd, M. A. (2019). Psychiatric & mental health nursing for Canadian practice. Wolters Kluwer.

[3] Townsend, M. C. (2015). Psychiatric mental health nursing. F.A. Davis.