Comorbidity of axis I disorders in patients with traumatic grief.
BACKGROUND
Traumatic grief has been found to be a distinct disorder from both depression and anxiety; however, there is no information in the literature regarding comorbidity of traumatic grief with other psychiatric disorders.


METHODS
Twenty-three bereaved subjects who presented for treatment of traumatic grief symptomatology were included in this study. The Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG) was used to confirm the presence of traumatic grief and assess its severity. In addition, the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV was performed.


RESULTS
Most subjects met criteria for a current or lifetime Axis I diagnosis. Fifty-two percent (N = 12) met criteria for current major depressive disorder, and 30% (N = 7), for current posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). ICG scores and functional impairment were higher among patients with more than one concurrent Axis I diagnosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Comorbid major depressive disorder and PTSD may be prevalent in patients presenting for treatment of traumatic grief.
Melhem
N M
NM
Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh PA, USA.
Rosales
C
C
Karageorge
J
J
Reynolds
C F
CF
Frank
E
E
Shear
M K
MK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015897:Comorbidity; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*