04/01/06 13:32

Bereavement

1. shock and disbelief

2. anger

3. guilt and self-blame

4. 'searching' or 'pining'

5. sadness and despair

6. acceptance

Abnormal grief

• delayed onset

• greater intensity of symptoms

• prolongation of reaction

• sticking at stages of normal grief

Reasons for abnormal grief

• problematic relationship with deceased (ambivalent or over involved)

• sudden death

• social constraints on normal grieving

Management

• cognitive behavioural therapy

• antidepressants

• hospitalisation if suicide risk significant

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