Wally is feeling sad. He is upset because his parents are moving and he will have to leave all his friends. He is irritable, and has been complaining about stomach?aches, ever since the move was announced, three weeks ago. You think it is just a phase, but after the move takes place he continues to sulk around the house, has locked himself in his room, and says he hates the new house. He complains there are no kids around and that he is dreading beginning the Grade Five program at his new school because he doesn't know anyone. Today, you surprise him with a trip to the veterinarian's where he is introduced to his new puppy. While at the vet's, he meets another boy his age, who has just moved in down the street. The depression lifts and Wally is his old self again. The type of depression that Wally was exhibiting is most likely due to

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Wally's symptoms of sadness, irritability, and somatic complaints (stomach aches) appeared in response to a specific life event (his family moving) and improved when his situation changed (receiving a puppy and meeting a new friend). This pattern is characteristic of an adjustment disorder with depressed mood, where emotional and behavioral symptoms develop in response to an identifiable stressor and tend to resolve when the stressor does or the individual adapts to it. Major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder are characterized by more pervasive and persistent symptoms not necessarily tied to specific life events. "Depressed syndrome" is not a recognized diagnostic category in the context of clinical psychology or psychiatry.

Wally Is Feeling Sad