Psychiatric problems following bereavement by murder or manslaughter.

Bereavement by murder or manslaughter is often associated with a high incidence of factors which increase the risk of lasting psychological problems after bereavement. In this study it appears that self-perpetuating vicious circles often accounted for the persistence of symptoms, which fitted the diagnostic categories of post-traumatic stress disorders, anxiety states, panic syndromes, obsessive revenge-seeking, and depression. Therapeutic approaches should be aimed at interrupting these vicious circles and fostering the work of grieving.