Bereavement and complicated grief.
Bereavement is a common experience in adults aged 60 and older. Loss of a loved one usually leads to acute grief characterized by yearning and longing, decreased interest in ongoing activities, and frequent thoughts of the deceased. For most, acute grief naturally evolves into a state of integrated grief, where the bereaved is able to reengage with everyday activities and find interest or pleasure. About 7 % of bereaved older adults, however, will develop the mental health condition of Complicated Grief (CG). In CG, the movement from acute to integrated grief is derailed, and grief symptoms remain severe and impairing. This article reviews recent publications on the diagnosis of CG, risk factors for the condition and evidenced-based treatments for CG. Greater attention to CG detection and treatment in older adults is needed.
Columbia University School of Social Work, Room 829, 1255 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY, 10027, USA, ks2394@columbia.edu.
M Katherine
MK
Shear
Angela
A
Ghesquiere
Kim
K
Glickman
D000275:Adjustment Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001601:Bereavement; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors