Abstract
IntroductionGrief is a universal experience faced at one time or another by most people during their lives. Response to grief and bereavement losses can lead to psychiatric disorders such as mood disorders, post traumatic responses, insomnia loss of appetite, anxiety, and depression. The aim of our study is to value in our community the physical and psychological complications of a normal grief.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study from March 2012 to September 2012 in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo. Two questionnaires, the Hamilton Anxiety Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory scale were used as screening tool. A snow ball sampling method was performed and the questionnaires were administered only to those who consented to participate in the study.ResultsA total of 78 subjects were included in the study of which 87.2% were aged between 14-50 years old. The majority of the subjects were female 65.4%, and about a quarter (28%) was unemployed. The main correlates of the grief reported in the present study were being treated as witchcraft or accused to be responsible of a death (68%), being rejected by family and not being allowed to inherit (32%). Being homeless was reported in 26%. The main psychological symptoms reported were psychological distress after 1 year (65%) and related physical health problems after the death (72%). Depression and mild anxiety were the most reported disorders, with respectively 92.3% and 74.4% of the subjects.ConclusionGrief in Lubumbashi is associated with a large number of psychological, social and health problems. Health problems such as gastric is, high blood pressure were often reported. Being accused of witchcraft remains the main social impact. Depression and anxiety were the most psychological problem associated with grief.
Highlights
Grief is a universal experience faced at one time or another by most people during their lives
Bryant RA reported in his study conducted in Australia that 10-15 % of bereaved presented severe complications assimilated to a pathological bereavement but significantly different from depression and anxiety, expanding the scope of psychiatric morbidity [7]
Our findings suggested that grief is a universal answer to the loss of a loved one
Summary
Grief is a universal experience faced at one time or another by most people during their lives. Conclusion: Grief in Lubumbashi is associated with a large number of psychological, social and health problems. Health problems such as gastric is, high blood pressure were often reported. Of grief: Initial phase or distress phase, which is an impact or stupor phase characterized by a state of shock; central phase called reactive depression or withdrawal. It is the acute period of mourning, an intense look depressed emotional state; the end of mourning or the resolution phase is a phase of recovery, restoration, or adaptation [3]. The recognition of the reality of the loss is not immediate, and is causing distress and suffering of the bereaved: strengthening internal link with the lost person and taking into account unconscious sense of guilt [3]
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