Anaclitic depression, also known as deprivation depression, is a depressive condition that may occur in children, especially at an early age, if they are deprived of parental care and close emotional bonds, for example, if a child is placed in an orphanage or experiences a lack of attention and care.
This concept was introduced by child development researchers such as René Spitz and Rene Spitz in the mid-20th century. Anaclitic depression is characterized by depressive symptoms such as low mood, loss of interest in the world, changes in appetite and sleep, as well as developmental delay.
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