Objective: The present study was conducted to assess whether DSM-IV-defined
bereavement responds to bupropion sustained release (SR).
Method: Twenty-two subjects who had lost their spouses within the previous
6 to 8 weeks and who met DSM-IV symptomatic/functional criteria for a major
depressive episode were evaluated. Subjects completed the Hamilton Rating
Scale for Depression (HAM-D), the Clinical Global Impressions scale, the Te
xas Revised Inventory of Grief, and the Inventory of Complicated Grief at b
aseline and follow-up. Subjects were treated with bupropion SR, 150 to 300
mg/day, for 8 weeks,
Results: Improvement was noted in both depression and grief intensity. For
the intent-to-treat group, 59% experienced a reduction of greater than or e
qual to 50% on HAM-D scores. The correlations between changes in the HAM-D
scores and the grief scale scores were high, ranging from 0.61 (p = .006) t
o 0.44 (p = .054),
Conclusion: Major depressive symptoms occurring shortly after the loss of a
loved one (i.e., bereavement) appear to respond to bupropion SR. Treatment
of these symptoms does nor intensify grief; rather, improvement in depress
ion is associated with decreases in grief intensity. The results of this st
udy challenge prevailing clinical wisdom that DSM-IV-defined bereavement sh
ould not be treated. Larger, placebo-controlled studies are indicated.