A scientist has discovered that prolonged grief disorder can occur after the death of a pet. Indicating that excluding this loss from the criteria for diagnosing this condition is “scientifically flawed” and “insensitive.”
Research published in the academic journal PLOS One argues that the grief following the death of a pet can reach the same intensity and duration as that caused by the loss of a close family member. To the point of leading to prolonged grief disorder.
The study’s author, Philip Hyland, conducted a survey in the United Kingdom involving 975 adults. Found that 7.5 percent of those who had lost a pet met the diagnostic criteria for this disorder.
This proportion was similar to that observed after the death of a close friend and only slightly lower than that recorded after the death of a grandparent (8.3 percent). A sibling (8.9 percent), or even a partner (9.1 percent). Only the loss of parents (11.2 percent) or children (21.3 percent) shows significantly higher rates.
Prolonged grief disorder is a mental health problem characterized by a persistent desire to recover the lost loved one. Feelings of hopelessness, difficulties in relationships or coping with daily tasks. And the feeling that a part of one’s identity has been lost.
Also the study estimated that approximately one in 12 cases of this disorder in the UK is related to the death of a pet.
Hyland asserted that the symptoms of intense grief for an animal “are identical” to those of grief for a human being. Therefore the current diagnostic guidelines, which only consider this condition after the death of a person, must be changed.
“The decision to exclude the loss of a pet from the criteria for prolonged grief disorder can be considered not only scientifically flawed but also insensitive,” he concluded.
With information from RT.com News
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