Cognitive behavioral intervention on mourning for unexpected death of COVID-19

Abstract

In the last years the world has lived a pandemic due to COVID-19. As a consequence there have been unexpected losses of human lives, in conditions of isolation. Disease and death without the presence of family have become a painful experience, which together with non-celebrating traditional rites, they make the mourning more complex. If the experiences of grief and suffering are not developed in an adequate and timely way, they can affect mental health. We present a study case carried out in Mexico, of a 41-year-old, middle-aged female mourning primary teacher. She stated that her husband died a month and half ago, with whom she had a close and intimate relationship and good communication. He suddenly died of COVID-19 and other complications. Wake was not carried out and there was no opportunity of farewell. The patient complained of feeling anguished, sad, with concentration difficulties, emptiness sensation and solitude, worried about her future life as well as her children’s. she presented nauseas and constant headaches. She was restless and nervous, but cooperated during the interview. A diagnosis of an acute non-complicate mourning was made. A cognitive behavioral intervention was performed, with 12 sessions of psychotherapy. After treatment the assessment instruments were applied again, obtaining some modifications both in thought and beliefs, as well as concerning the symptomatology initially presented. The model of cognitive behavioral intervention can be assessed as a method of positive impact, resulting useful to achieve welfare and health of the patient.