Physiological effects of chronic grief: a biofeedback treatment approach.
This article makes explicit the implicit links among chronic grief, psychological stress, physiological functioning, and treatment via biofeedback and relaxation training.  A brief review of recent literature shows the connections among these areas, and from these connections emerges a simple model describing the interactions of chronic grief and psychological stress with the physiology of the bereaved.  This model focuses on bereaved persons with pre- or co-existing medical conditions likely to worsen with prolonged grief.  A brief discussion of emotional aspects of chronic grief follows.  Finally, a specific treatment modality--relaxation training with biofeedback assistance and desensitization--is applied to this model as well as to the emotional dimension, and the benefits thereof are discussed.
Arnette
J K
JK
Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, USA.
D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006117:Grief; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology*