PubMed Health⌕ Search
Home/Archive/PubMed

PubMed · 12866752

Psychic trauma and traumatic object loss.

Harold P Blum
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Psychoanalysis began with the concept of psychic trauma, which was subsequently not clearly differentiated from traumatic object loss or from unconscious conflict and fantasy. Psychic trauma is investigated in relation to unconscious conflict, with and without concurrent object loss. The syndromes of PTSD, uncomplicated by object loss, of traumatic bereavement, and of relatively nontraumatic bereavement, though often interwoven and inseparable, are all different. The significance of the loss, sociocultural factors, and group process influence individual responses to trauma and traumatic bereavement. There are specific neurobiological and psychological sequelae of traumatic experience. Clinical applications are noted.

Explore related subjects

BereavementConflict, PsychologicalCultural CharacteristicsHumansModels, PsychologicalSocial ConditionsStress Disorders, Post-TraumaticUnconscious, PsychologyWounds and InjuriesJournal ArticleReview

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Harold P Blum. 2003. Psychic trauma and traumatic object loss.. https://doi.org/10.1177/00030651030510020101

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

PubMed2007

Fetal death.

The death of a formed fetus is one of the most emotionally devastating events for parents and clinicians. With improved care for conditions such as RhD alloimmunization, diabetes, and preeclampsia, the rate of fetal death in the United States decreased substantially in the mid twentieth century. However, the past several decades have seen much greater reductions in neonatal death rates than in fetal death rates. As such, fetal death remains a significant and understudied problem that now accounts for almost 50% of all perinatal deaths. The availability of prostaglandins has greatly facilitated delivery options for patients with fetal death. Risk factors for fetal death include African American race, advanced maternal age, obesity, smoking, prior fetal death, maternal diseases, and fetal growth impairment. There are numerous causes of fetal death, including genetic conditions, infections, placental abnormalities, and fetal-maternal hemorrhage. Many cases of fetal death do not undergo adequate evaluation for possible causes. Perinatal autopsy and placental examination are perhaps the most valuable tests for the evaluation of fetal death. Antenatal surveillance and emotional support are the mainstays of subsequent pregnancy management. Outcomes may be improved in women with diabetes, hypertension, red cell alloimmunization, and antiphospholipid syndrome. However, there is considerable room for further reduction in the fetal death rate.

Bereavement↗
PubMed2006

Care for the adult family members of victims of unexpected cardiac death.

More than 300,000 sudden coronary deaths occur annually in the United States, despite declining cardiovascular death rates. In 2000, deaths from heart disease left an estimated 190,156 new widows and 68,493 new widowers. A major unanswered question for emergency providers is whether the immediate care of the loved ones left behind by the deceased should be a therapeutic task for the staff of the emergency department in the aftermath of a fatal cardiac arrest. Based on a review of the literature, the authors suggest that more research is needed to answer this question, to assess the current immediate needs and care of survivors, and to find ways to improve care of the surviving family of unexpected cardiac death victims. This would include improving quality of death disclosure, improving care for relatives during cardiopulmonary resuscitation of their family member, and improved methods of referral for services for prevention of psychological and cardiovascular morbidity during bereavement.

Bereavement↗