[Normal and pathological grief--recent views].

Abstract

The author considers the symptoms of pathological grief related to conjugal loss, and report on recent efforts to develop a structured interview for assessing status of grief. The recommendations of the DSM-III-R to subsume "pathological grief" under "major depression" are challenged. Some implications for therapy are discussed. Similarities and differences between "pathological grief" and "post-traumatic stress disorder" are touched upon. The author also points out the qualitative differences of the stressors in the two conditions. In "post-traumatic stress disorder" the stressor amounts to a threat to life while in "pathological grief" the stressor is the loss of a person with whom the patient has had close ties.