Traumatic grief treatment: a pilot study

Am J Psychiatry. 2001 Sep;158(9):1506-8. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.158.9.1506.

Abstract

Objective: The effects of a treatment program targeting debilitating grief symptoms were tested in a pilot study.

Method: Twenty-one individuals experiencing traumatic grief were recruited for participation, and 13 completed the full 4-month protocol. The treatment protocol used imaginal re-living of the death, in vivo exposure to avoided activities and situations, and interpersonal therapy.

Results: Significant improvement in grief symptoms and associated anxiety and depression was observed for both completer and intent-to-treat groups.

Conclusions: The traumatic grief treatment protocol appears to be a promising intervention for debilitating grief.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anxiety Disorders / psychology
  • Anxiety Disorders / therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods*
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Depressive Disorder / therapy
  • Grief*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Personality Inventory / statistics & numerical data
  • Pilot Projects
  • Psychotherapy / methods*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / therapy
  • Treatment Outcome