The author reviews prospective studies of bereavement, which show that
widows and widowers suffer from significant depressive symptoms in the
first year. Young widows and widowers may have more physical distress and
take more drugs. There are few changes among older men and women in
physical health, visits to physicians, and hospitalizations. Psychiatric
consultation and hospitalization are rare and tend to occur early in a
bereavement rather than later. There is probably an increase in mortality
only among older widowers in the first year. The death of one's spouse is a
psychologically stressful event; however, during the first year men and
women cope with the loss with minimal morbidity and mortality.Abstract Teaser