AJ (Age 8), Meadow (Age 20), and Tony (Age 32)

question 86

Essay

A.J. (age 8), Meadow (age 20), and Tony (age 32) are all children of the Soprano family. Each of them is about to experience a loss as the result of the death of their mother, Sally. Describe the similarities and differences that you would expect concerning the reactions of these individuals to their loss.

---

Definitions:

Depressive Episode

A period characterized by persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, and other symptoms that disrupt daily functioning.

Hypomanic

A mood state characterized by persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, but less severe than full-blown mania, often seen in bipolar disorder.

Mania

A bipolar mood disorder characterized by flamboyance and expansiveness. A person experiencing a manic episode may go on shopping sprees, engage in sexually promiscuous behaviour, take on numerous, unrealistic work commitments, brag, and dominate others socially. In general, the person shows intolerance when the world does not cooperate with his or her momentary needs. Extreme or prolonged cases of mania are considered bona fide psychotic states, implying that the person is experiencing a break with reality. From the Greek mainomai, “to be mad.” See also hypomania.

Depression

A mental health disorder that is marked by persistent feelings of sadness, apathy, and loss of interest, significantly affecting daily functioning.