Seth Seems Quite Depressed Much of the Time

Multiple Choice

Seth seems quite depressed much of the time. When his teacher takes him aside and asks what's wrong,he shrugs his shoulders and responds,"I don't know. I've felt sad for as long as I can remember." If you were to take a psychoanalytic approach to Seth's depression,which one of the following hypotheses would you be most likely to have?

A) Important people in Seth's life (perhaps his parents) typically give him more attention when he acts sad rather than happy.
B) Seth may have grown up in a family or culture that believes joy and happiness are "sinful" feelings that must be suppressed.
C) Unpleasant events in Seth's early childhood (perhaps abuse) are having a negative impact even though he can't recall them.
D) Seth is biologically prone to depression; perhaps he has a chemical imbalance that could be treated with medication.