A 45-year-old woman whose mother died from cancer describes a persistent sense of the deceased’s presence in the house—a feeling that her mother is

Question

A 45-year-old woman whose mother died from cancer describes a persistent sense of the deceased’s presence in the house—a feeling that her mother is still there, watching over her. She finds this comforting. Is this normal?

Accepted Answer

Yes—sense of presence experiences are common in bereavement and considered normal, often comforting, reflecting continuing bonds

Answer

This experience never occurs outside of bereavement as the preferred next management strategy in this patient

Answer

This is a sign of pathological grief requiring immediate intervention as the preferred next management strategy

Answer

Only religious people experience such a sense of presence as the preferred next management strategy in this patient

Answer

This indicates a psychotic disorder requiring antipsychotic medication as the preferred next management strategy

Sense of Presence Experience Normalisation — SCE Palliative Medicine MCQ

A 45-year-old woman whose mother died from cancer describes a persistent sense of the deceased’s presence in the house—a feeling that her mother is still there, watching over her. She finds this comforting. Is this normal?