In the elderly, bereavement overload can lead to what outcome?

In the elderly, bereavement overload can lead to what outcome?

• A. Depression
• B. Improved resilience
• C. No impact
• D. Euphoria

Answer: (A)

Bereavement overload happens when an older person experiences several losses in a relatively short period, which can overwhelm their coping resources. When those resources are stretched this way, depressive symptoms are a common response rather than improvement. In later life, depression may present as persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, sleep and appetite changes, fatigue, withdrawal from others, and decreased functioning. Although some individuals may show resilience, the typical and most concerning outcome of multiple losses is depression. Options such as improved resilience or no impact don’t fit the pattern of overwhelmed coping after such losses, and euphoria would be inconsistent with the expected emotional response to bereavement.

Bereavement overload happens when an older person experiences several losses in a relatively short period, which can overwhelm their coping resources. When those resources are stretched this way, depressive symptoms are a common response rather than improvement. In later life, depression may present as persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, sleep and appetite changes, fatigue, withdrawal from others, and decreased functioning. Although some individuals may show resilience, the typical and most concerning outcome of multiple losses is depression. Options such as improved resilience or no impact don’t fit the pattern of overwhelmed coping after such losses, and euphoria would be inconsistent with the expected emotional response to bereavement.