寵物死亡的哀傷併發重度憂鬱症

Grief-related Major Depression Associated with the Death of Pet

目的：寵物死亡可能會對飼主造成病態性哀傷，嚴重者甚至會出現重度憂鬱症。病例報告： 第一位病人是45 歲單身男性，因所飼養12 年的黃金獵犬死亡之後，出現嚴重憂鬱症 狀。經藥物及心理治療，三個月後達復原程度。第二位病人是20 歲單身女性，因所飼養3 年的花栗鼠死亡之後，出現嚴重憂鬱症狀，伴隨多次的自殺企圖。其因無病識感而拒絕接受 進一步治療。結論：雖然寵物死亡引發病態性哀傷的比率並不高，但確實會發生在某些特殊 的飼主身上。他們必須被適當地尊重與諮詢，必要時可能需要合併藥物及心理治療。

Background: Pathological grief might be induced by pet loss in some people who may even suffer from major depression. We report two cases of individuals who suffered from grief-related major depression due to pet death. Case Reports: A 45-year-old male complained of severe depressive symptoms associated with excessive guilt for three months after the death of his golden retriever which he had raised for 12 years. He recovered three months later after receiving pharmacotherapy and supportive psychotherapy. A 20-year-old female patient suffered from severe depressive symptoms associated with repeated suicide attempts after the death of her chipmunk which she had raised for three years. She was lost to followup later due to poor insight. Conclusion: Although patients of pathological grief associated with pet death are relatively rare, they did happen and need to be treated optimally. Combined pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy might be needed for those who suffer from grief-related major depression.