A daughter of a depressed mother: a case report

Stern notes that infants attempt to enliven their depressed mothers. The reconstructed childhood of a patient who was the daughter of a depressed mother is discussed. The treatment of this 31-year-old single woman whose talk was rapid, whose comments were studded with high-powered names, and whose checks bounced is described. The intensity of this patient's attempts to connect with the therapist illustrated her need to enliven the therapist. This adult charmer is reminiscent of the infants that Stern observed in interaction with their depressed mothers.