Grief and Bereavement

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Introduction

Grief is a normal response to life events. The grieiving person reacts to the environment and tends to show a range of positive affects. Bereavement is reaction to the death of a loved one. Normal grief frequently can last up to 2 months.

 

 

 

Complicated Grief

Symptoms not characteristic of grief include:

• guilt
• thoughts of death
• morbid preoccupation with worthlessness

If symptoms are still severe after two months, this should raise the question if something more is happening. Sadness and other emotions are normal, though should not be debilitating. If patients feel they are unable to cope or heal, treatment - psychotherapy or medication - may be explored for a diagnosis such as depression.

 

Loss of a role can be very difficult, especially when the person who died required a lot of care and attention from the caregiver. Once the person has died, the caregiver may feel they have no social or vocational activities as options.

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Grief and Culture

Do you have a religion or cultural faith that you practice and would like to discuss?

 

 

 

Resources and References

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