Treatment of the Depressions of Bereavement

Although the onset, exacerbation, or persistence of major depressive episodes are among the most frequently encountered complications of bereavement, there is scant empirically based literature on the treatment of bereavement-associated depressions. Whereas uncomplicated bereavement rarely requires formal treatment, for bereavement that is complicated by a major depressive episode, treatment can greatly diminish suffering and promote well-being. When establishing a treatment plan for major depressive episodes following the death of a loved one, clinicians must keep in mind that they are dealing with both grief and depression; thus, an ideal intervention targets both components, often simultaneously. The authors present an integrative model of treatment that incorporates basic principles of grief therapy along with the same combinations of psychoeducation, psychotherapy, and pharmacotherapy generally applied to the treatment of nonbereavement-related major depressive episodes. The authors emphasize that treatment must be individualized and focused to address specific needs and resources of each unique patient.