A Study Ties Loss of a Child to Mental Ills (NY Times, free reg. req’d)
The death of a child not only alters a family forever but also sharply increases the risk that parents will later be hospitalized for a mental illness, researchers are reporting in the largest study to date of parent bereavement and mental health.
The risk is greatest during the first year after the child’s death but remains elevated even five years afterward, the researchers found, and includes higher rates of schizophrenia, depression and abuse of drugs and alcohol.
The overall rate of psychiatric hospitalization among bereaved parents in the study was less than 3 percent over five years, but, experts noted, doctors do not usually admit patients for mental illness unless their condition is urgent.
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“Study Ties Loss of a Child to Mental Ills”
i agree. its been a year since we lost our daughter and i have thought many times that i would end up in a psych ward. you cant imagine the depth of dispair and agony of losing a child. it really does drive you insane. thankfully, i had my husband to tether me to sanity and through open communication and patience with each other we are coping. people who lose a child need to have someone to vent their thoughts and feelings to. period.
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Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 29 Mar 2005
