Health impaired after crises

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34152, 13 May 1976, Page 6

Health impaired after crises

(New Zealand Press Association) HOBART. A survey of women’s responses to two major life crises — conjugal bereavement and hysterectomy — has shown a large number suffer from major health impairment for a considerable time afterwards.

Patterns of health included increased general symptomology, especially psychological depression, lessened capacity for work and increased intake of drugs. Results of the survey were given to a recn health congress in Hobart by Professor Beverley,’ Raphael, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, at Sydney University. In the survey 200 recently-bereaved "widows, aged less than 60, were all assessed within the first seven weeks following their husbands’ deaths. A further 100 women yvho had undergone the operation of hysterectomy were assessed seven to 10 days after the operation. Women aged 46, or less were chosen, living in a marital relationship. Both groups were followed up 13 months after the crisis.

Major health impairment in the first group was at the level of 27.1 per cent, and in the second group, 24.7 per cent.

In the bereavement group there were significantly greater frequencies of symptoms such as swollen or painful joints, excessive tiredness, feelings of panic, excessive sweating, general aching and a significantly greater frequency of visits to doctors.

There were also greater frequencies of many symptoms such as sleeplessness, back pains, rheumatism, shortness of breath, dizziness and poor appetite and greater frequency’ of urination.

There was more marked weight decrease, increased smoking, and increased alcohol and drug intake.

There was a more frequent occurrence of depression, and a more marked severity of depression in the bereaved group, and a marked diminution in work capacity. In the hysterectomy’ group there were increased incidences of poor appetite, constipation, pains in the back, frequent urination, frequent infections, blood pressure, swollen joints and rheumatism. There was also an increased intake of drugs and alcohol, an increased incidence and severity’ of depression, and a greater frequency of medical attendances.

Professor Raphael concluded that appropriate sup-

port in the crisis might be a method of preventing this morbidity. She said particular groups of social network members featured more strongly in the negative interaction patterns for both groups.