Psychologic aspects of early pregnancy loss.
Early pregnancy loss is a complicated psychologic event that occurs in 12% to 24% of recognized pregnancies. Women who have experienced miscarriage often have common bereavement reactions and while the intensity and experience of these reactions diminishes over time for most women, a substantial minority will develop long-term psychiatric consequences. Depression, symptoms of anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder are the most commonly reported psychologic reactions to miscarriage. The course and impact of these disorders on a grieving mother and her partner are discussed and treatment recommendations are made. The psychologic effects of therapeutic abortion are also be briefly discussed.
Carter
Diana
D
Departments of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Canada. dcarter@cw.bc.ca
Misri
Shaila
S
Tomfohr
Lianne
L
D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000523:psychology*; D000032:Abortion, Therapeutic / Q000523:psychology*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D001601:Bereavement; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy