Psychological manifestations of brain death patient´s relatives

Abstract

This study originated from a monograph approved for undergraduate psychology course. Features aimed at understanding the psychological manifestations of Brain Death (BD) patient´s relatives, identifying the possible psychological interventions at different stages experienced: news of the clinical, check BD, diagnosis of brain death, process of organ donation. This is a literature review based scientific papers in the last ten years, using as a theoretical framework for analysis of psychological manifestations, literature about Grief and Family Systems Approach, and legislation on the topic. In the results, was identified that family members have unique experiences that can affect the grieving process, as concern about patient outcomes in hospital, misunderstandings and the possibility of a diagnosis of BD may present an experience of ambiguous loss, and difficulty experiencing grief reactions in the approach to organ donation, due to the restricted time decision. Thus, it is concluded that it is essential to psychological counseling to family members of the patient in Brain Death during the whole process.