Bereavement care: some clinical observations.
The needs of cancer patients' bereaved carers require attention. Although the majority of bereaved individuals manage to cope with their loss, a minority remain distressed and suffer serious prolonged disruption of their lives. The Yale Bereavement Study has revealed a specific syndrome, prolonged grief disorder. The diagnostic criteria of this disorder are outlined and several clinical illustrations are presented. Preliminary evidence suggests that cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) can be effective in the management of prolonged grief disorder. An example of the use of CBT is provided together with some useful clinical guidelines.
Greer
Steven
S
St Raphael's Hospice, Surrey, UK. stevengreer@straphaels.org.uk
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011594:Psychometrics; D012307:Risk Factors