Grief-Related Facsimile Illness

One aspect of the grief process which is frequently mentioned in the literature on mourning but has not yet received adequate clinical attention is the tendency for the bereaved to assume symptoms and behavior of the deceased. This paper presents evidence that pathologic identification 1) is an important clinical syndrome that is frequently misdiagnosed and mistreated, 2) defines a population at high medical and surgical risk, 3) can be diagnosed by history alone, and 4) carries a good prognosis when identified and properly managed.

Four of a series of ten clinical cases are presented and discussed. Analysis of the cases reveals a number of common features, including 1) an arrest of the normal grief process; 2) a presentation of symptoms identical or nearly identical to those experienced by the deceased; 3) previous ineffective and inappropriate treatment endeavors; 4) referral for reasons other than a recognition of an abnormal grief state; and 5) improvement or recovery during treatment aimed at facilitating the grief response.

Based on a survey of the literature and the clinical material analyzed, the authors conclude that patients who present with psychologic identification with the deceased have a distinct clinical syndrome (grief-related facsimile illness) for which recognition is important to institute proper management. Contrary to the reports in the literature, it frequently presents as other than hypochondriasis. When identified, this syndrome carries a good prognosis.