Adjustment disorders

Question 1

What are the possible effects grief can have on someone? (14)

Answer 1

1. Social avoidance
2. Depressive ideation
3. Lack of sleep
4. Anorexia
5. Increased mortality
6. Somatic symptoms of pain and discomfort
7. Constipation
8. Loss of libido
9. Impairment of performance
10. Lack of energy
11. Emotional numbness
12. Preoccupation with deceased
13. Perceptual disturbances e.g. transient hallucinations
14. Mummification - preservation of possessions

Question 2

What is pathological grief?

Answer 2

When there is disruption of the mourning process. The expression of grief may be delayed or become chronic.

Question 3

Why does pathological grief occur and who is more vulnerable to it?

Answer 3

Children are vulnerable to pathological grief as they are dependent upon their careers to provide an environment in which to grieve. In their own grief, parents or carers may forget the grief of their children.
Conversely, other peoples grief can be disrupted by the demand of other activities such as caring for children.