symptoms not normally part of grieving

Last reviewed 01/2018

During bereavement there is an increased morbidity from conditions related to stress. These include :-

  • physical illness eg cardiovascular disease
  • hypochondriasis
  • phobic symptoms
  • alcohol abuse
  • affective disorders - notably depressive illness, but, occasionally also mania.
  • marital breakdown - this sometimes follows bereavement when a couple are unable to share the grief following the death of one of the parents, or of a child.
  • anti-social behaviour, drug abuse and promiscuity may occur in adolescence as an 'acting out' of grief.