The daughter of an older woman who became depressed after the death of her husband asks for prognosis. Which is accurate?

• A. It's highly likely that she will recover and return to her pre-illness state
• B. She will require long-term hospitalization
• C. She will definitely develop major depressive disorder
• D. She should undergo immediate psychotherapy

Answer: (A)

Grief after the loss of a spouse commonly follows a pattern where mood and functioning gradually improve over time with support. In many older adults, depressive symptoms related to bereavement do not persist as a major mental illness and people eventually return to their previous level of functioning. So, the most accurate statement is that she is highly likely to recover and return to her pre-illness state.

Hospitalization is not typically needed for uncomplicated grief unless there are severe, dangerous, or ongoing impairments. Major depressive disorder is not an inevitable outcome of bereavement; it would require distinct features lasting beyond what grief usually causes. Immediate psychotherapy can be helpful, but it isn’t required for everyone in bereavement and should be guided by symptom severity and impairment.