In psychology, the profound sadness of an infant when separated from its mother for a prolonged period of time.
Depression in infants suddenly separated from their mothers between the first months and 1 year of age. The loss of the love, affection, and nurturing usually present in the mother-child relationship may cause severe disturbances in health and in motor, language, and social development or may occasionally lead to death. Symptoms first found in affected infants include crying, panicky behavior, and increased motor activity. Later, psychologically abandoned or neglected infants manifest dejection, apathy, staring into space, and silent crying. Recovery is possible if the mother or a surrogate is available to meet the infant’s needs for parental support.