Pharmacological Treatment Following Traumatic Bereavement: A Case Series

Abstract

There is little evidence to guide the use of psychotropic medications immediately following bereavement. This article presents a review of the relevant literature, followed by a case series on the use of psychotropic medication in traumatically bereaved individuals. Of 20 active subjects, nine had been prescribed psychotropic medication in the days and weeks following a traumatic loss. The amount, type, and timing of medication in this sample is explored and compared to the extant literature. Results suggest that clinical practice may not be guided by empirical research in this area.

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Notes on contributors

Joanne Cacciatore

Joanne Cacciatore is an assistant professor at Arizona State University in the School of Social Work. She has been studying and working with the traumatically bereaved for more than a decade, with a particular interest in infant and child death.

Kara Thieleman

Kara Thieleman is a graduate of Arizona State University's School of Social Work and currently works as a grief counselor at a local agency.