Question

Mary is a 12 month old who has been vomiting for the past 12 hours. Mary woke up at 5 AM but has not been able to “hold anything down”. Mary’s mother is concerned because it is now 4:00 pm. Mary’s mother calls the primary care office and is recommended by the nurse to have Mary evaluated at the clinic (Dr. Office). On initial assessment, Mary is lethargic and very quiet. She has mild nasal congestion and Her lips and skin are dry. She occasionally cries, but does not produce tears. Mary’s diaper has not been changed since 5 am and is currently dry upon this visitation to the clinic. Note: The season is late winter.

What Erik Erikson Stage is this patient in? (provide definition)

Answer 1

ERIKSON THEORY

Erik Erikson (1902-1994) proposed that throughout our lives, we encounter certain crises that contribute to our psychosocial development. He presented these crises as 8 stages of psychosocial conflicts, often known as the 8 Erikson stages.

Each of the eight Erikson stages is characterized by two contradictory emotional forces known as contrary dispositions, usually labeled as “syntonic” and “dystonic” dispositions. These dispositions cause a crisis or task that we need to resolve or master.

According to the Erik Erikson theory, when we resolve this crisis successfully, we gain a sense of competence. Failure to do so may lead to feelings of inadequacy and a less healthy personality.

Mary, 12 months old, in Erikson's first stage of psycho social develpment. Erikson’s first stage of psychosocial development starts from infant to about 18 months old. At this stage, infants must learn to trust others, particularly those who care for their basic needs.

Small babies may view this “new world” as threatening, as they must depend on others for their survival. Depending on how they are treated by their caregivers, this sense of threat can be replaced by trust.

Caregivers who are sensitive and responsive to their baby’s basic needs, such as food and shelter, help their baby develop a sense of security. When these babies learn that they will receive the care they need when they need it, they begin to feel safe and learn to trust the people around them.

On the other hand, caregivers who are unresponsive to their baby’s needs can cause their baby to view this “new world” as unreliable and unpredictable. These babies may develop a sense of anxiety and mistrust, which will affect how they interact with others as they grow up.

The virtue that is developed upon a healthy resolution of the crisis at this Erikson’s stage is “hope”. This is manifested by a deep faith and conception that everything will turn out to be okay.Here, our patient Mary under this category.