Child and adolescent psychiatry: anaclitic depression: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Child and adolescent psychiatry: anaclitic depression

Sample item

A 9-month-old infant in an orphanage, separated from his mother for three months, is apathetic, weeps quietly, has lost weight and shows developmental regression. Which condition did Spitz describe in this setting?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Anaclitic depression

Spitz described anaclitic depression, or hospitalism, in infants separated from the mother after a period of good attachment, causing withdrawal, weight loss and regression, which may recover if the mother returns early.

Option by option

  • A. Selective mutism

    Selective mutism is failure to speak in specific situations by a child who speaks elsewhere.

  • B. Childhood disintegrative disorder

    Childhood disintegrative disorder is a regression after at least two years of normal development.

  • C. Autism spectrum disorder

    Autism begins in early life with social and communication deficits, not after separation.

  • D. Anaclitic depression (correct)

    Correct. Separation after attachment leads to anaclitic depression.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is D, Anaclitic depression. Spitz described anaclitic depression, or hospitalism, in infants separated from the mother after a period of good attachment, causing withdrawal, weight loss and regression, which may recover if the mother returns early.

Why is "Selective mutism" not the answer?

Selective mutism is failure to speak in specific situations by a child who speaks elsewhere.

Why is "Childhood disintegrative disorder" not the answer?

Childhood disintegrative disorder is a regression after at least two years of normal development.

Why is "Autism spectrum disorder" not the answer?

Autism begins in early life with social and communication deficits, not after separation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Child and adolescent psychiatry: anaclitic depression in Psychiatry. The correct option holds because: Correct. Separation after attachment leads to anaclitic depression.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Child and adolescent psychiatry: anaclitic depression?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.