Taking Depression Seriously: What is it?
Since her divorce three months ago, 65-year-old Fiona has constantly felt tired, has had difficulty sleeping and eating, and has lost all interest in her family, friends, and usual activities. Once proud of her accomplishments and optimistic about her future, Fiona now believes that everything she has ever done or will do is worthless. Although her husband was far from a perfect partner, Fiona is convinced that the divorce really was her fault. Her once-close friends, weary of Fiona’s self-absorbed and hopeless attitude, have stopped calling her. The family physician referred Fiona to a psychiatrist, who prescribed an antidepressant. The drug seemed to help somewhat, but Fiona, worried that she would become addicted, stopped taking it regularly. Fiona’s son-in-law is concerned about her dejected attitude. Her daughter, however, insists that there is no cause for alarm. She says that her mother is simply growing old—that the listlessness is reminiscent of her maternal grandmother’s behavior at the same age.
Please answer all questions thoroughly
1. Should Fiona’s daughter be more concerned about her mother’s behavior, or is she correct in attributing it to aging? Explain your reasoning.
2. How might Fiona’s behavior be classified by a clinical psychologist?
3. How might Fiona’s behavior be explained according to (a) the biological and (b) the social-cognitive perspectives?
4. Which diagnostic perspective most closely represents your own belief about Fiona’s condition? Why?
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