The Management of Pathological Grief

Abstract

Earlier descriptions of pathological grief are reviewed. From the study of recently bereaved widows major forms of pathological grief are outlined. These are suppressed or inhibited grief and distorted grief, including forms with extreme anger or extreme guilt. Other grief variants are noted. The management of pathological grief is outlined; specifically the encouragement of the expression of suppressed affects especially sadness, anger and guilt; as well as the going over of memories and feelings to do with the lost relationship. Consideration is given to: the establishment of the therapeutic contract; the specific exploration of the response to the death and the preexisting relationship; resistances; interpretation of defences; assessment of progress of mourning; social network factors; termination; and transference and counter-transference.