Anaclitic Depression

The anaklitische Depression (from ancient Greek ανακλίνειν, anaklīnein - lean ) occurs when people , especially infants and small children is, a loss of the person: feel exposed (RA Spitz of "love object"). The need to be supported and carried is most pronounced in the first half of the first year of life. The disease is common in children who were in homes or hospitals about 6–8 months after the formation of a good mother-child bond, but before the development of object permanence , i.e. before about the 24th month, and possibly only physically with a lack of time were supplied. Anaclitic depression can also occur in the home if the child is inadequately cared for during the period mentioned. He lacks a caregiver, loving care , warmth and security and security . The concept of the disease is based on theoretical ideas regarding the anaclise , which spoke in favor of naming this form of depression and in favor of a revision of the theory of the oral phase .

According to René A. Spitz , it mainly affects children who were lively in the period before the depression. According to Spitz, the syndrome is very similar to "grief, pathological grief and melancholy ". According to Spitz, the difference to a melancholy adult lies in the fact that the adult can name and describe his problem. Depression can cause other illnesses such as B. precede eczema . Anaclitic depression is associated with a decrease in the developmental quotient . According to the dictionary of psychotherapy (Springer), the illness is characterized by helplessness and emptiness as well as by the fear of being abandoned. Accordingly, there is an urgent need to be loved and protected. Insomnia , weight loss and apathy are also known . Not only does the condition occur in early childhood, it can also affect adults who have experienced early loss. The course can lead to hospitalism and even death .

See also

• Deprivation
• Hospitalism
• Jaktation
• Attachment theory

literature

• René A. Spitz : The anaclitic depression - an investigation into the genesis of mental disorders in early childhood. In: Günter Bittner, Edda Harms: Education in early childhood. Revised new edition. Piper, Munich 1985, ISBN 3-492-00726-0 , pp. 123-161.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ John Bowlby : Separation . Psychological damage as a result of the separation of mother and child. Kindler, Munich 1976, ISBN 3-463-02171-4 .
2. ↑ Stavros Mentzos : Neurotic Conflict Processing. Introduction to the psychoanalytic theory of neuroses, taking into account more recent perspectives. Fischer-Taschenbuch, Frankfurt 1992, ISBN 3-596-42239-6 ; (a) On the theory, pp. 90-93.
3. ^ René A. Spitz : From infant to toddler . Natural history of mother-child relationships in the first year of life. 11th edition. Klett-Cotta, Stuttgart 1996, ISBN 3-608-91823-X .
4. ↑ Gerhard Stumm, Alfred Pritz (Ed.): Dictionary of Psychotherapy . Springer, Berlin 2000, ISBN 3-211-70772-7 , p. 23.
5. ^ Norbert Kühne : Early development and upbringing - The critical period, in: Teaching materials Pedagogy - Psychology, No. 694, Stark Verlag, Hallbergmoos

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !