Which characteristics are associated with acute grief? (Choose all that apply.)

Question

a. Preoccupation with loss of a loved one
b. Waves of grief or distressing emotion
c. Prolonged inability to sleep after a loss
d. Exacerbations of grief on specific dates
e. Change in attitude toward the future loss
f. Inability to perform simple self-care tasks

Answer 1

A, B, F

a. Correct. In acute grief, the bereaved is preoccupied with the deceased or the loss in a manner similar to daydreaming combined with a sense of unreality.
b. Correct. Specific activities, items, people, or other things trigger an overwhelming pain in acute grief.
c. Incorrect. Chronic grief is characterized by prolonged insomnia and an extended period of inhibited activities and suboptimal performance.
d. Incorrect. Chronic grief is characterized by periods of pain exacerbated on specific dates such as anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, and so forth.
e. Incorrect. Anticipatory grief is characterized by a change in attitude toward the individual who is about to die when the death does not occur as planned.
f. Correct. The bereaved can be incapacitated by acute grief making simple tasks such as dressing nearly impossible to complete or the task taking much longer to complete.