Definition

Noun: - A severe form of depression observed in infants or very young children, resulting from the loss of a primary caregiver, typically the mother, and the absence of a consistent, nurturing substitute. This condition is characterized by profound emotional withdrawal, failure to thrive, and developmental delays.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • The orphaned infant showed signs of anaclitic depression, including listlessness and a refusal to eat.
  • Early psychological theories described anaclitic depression as a consequence of maternal deprivation.

Advanced Usage and Context

• The term originates from psychoanalytic theory, where "anaclitic" refers to a state of dependence on another for emotional support and survival. Anaclitic depression is often discussed in historical and clinical contexts concerning attachment theory and the critical importance of early bonding.
• It is primarily a technical term used in psychology, psychiatry, and child development literature.

Variants and Related Words

• Anaclitic (adjective): Pertaining to a relationship characterized by dependence, especially emotional dependence on another person.
  • The patient exhibited an anaclitic need for constant reassurance.

Synonyms

• Depressive reaction of infancy (clinical term)
• Hospitalism (an older, related term describing the ill effects of institutional care on infants)
• Maternal deprivation syndrome (descriptive phrase)

Related Concepts and Phrases

• Attachment disorder: A broader modern category of conditions that may include patterns stemming from failures in early caregiving bonds.
• Failure to thrive: A medical term for inadequate growth or weight gain in infancy, which can be a symptom of anaclitic depression.
• Object loss: A psychoanalytic term for the loss of a loved person, which is central to the concept of anaclitic depression.

Noun

1. severe and progressive depression in infants who lose their mother and do not get a suitable substitute