Bereavement is a normal emotional response to suffering, which occurs after the loss of a very strong emotional bond, whether with a person, an animal, an object or with an immaterial good, such as employment, for example.
This response to loss varies considerably from person to person, so there is no specific time period to determine each person’s bereavement duration. However, the American Psychiatric Association has defined certain parameters to help identify pathological bereavement, which is unhealthy and needs treatment.
- How each person complains depends on several factors.
- Such as the relationship they had with the deceased.
- The type of family or social support.
- And the personality of each person.
The grieving process is very different from person to person, so there are many ways to express the feelings that death and loss can cause. However, it is common for the grieving process to be divided into 5 phases:
Upon learning that something or someone with whom you had a very strong bond has been lost, it is quite possible that at first the person does not create the news, being possible to observe a reaction of denial.
This reaction can also be accompanied by a departure from others, which is often used to alleviate pain and other negative effects that this type of news entails.
In the second phase, once the person has denied the fact, feelings of anger often arise, which may be accompanied by other signs such as constant crying and easy annoyance, even with friends and family. There may still be restlessness and anxiety.
After feeling angry and outraged, it is normal for the person to continue to have some difficulty in accepting reality and, therefore, to try to reach an agreement to get out of the situation he is experiencing. At this point, the person may even try to come to an agreement with God, so that everything is back to the way it was.
This type of negotiation varies from person to person and is often done unconsciously, unless followed by a psychologist or psychiatrist.
During this phase, the person enters the process of getting used to the situation and, as a result, there may be feelings of fragility, insecurity, pain and nostalgia.
It is at this point that the person begins to have a greater sense of reality and what has happened cannot be solved. It is also at this stage that a follow-up with a psychologist is recommended to help adapt to the new reality, in order to enter the final phase of bereavement.
This is the final phase of the grieving process, in which the person begins to return to the habits he had before the event that caused the loss, resuming his normal daily routine. It is from this stage that the person also becomes more available for social relations with friends and family.
The loss of a loved one is an event that occurs in the lives of almost all people and is accompanied by many emotions and feelings. Strategies that may help during the process include:
In addition to these strategies, it is always a good option to consult a specialist, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, who will be able to evaluate the case and suggest other options that help you better get through the grieving process.
Having to explain to a child that someone special has died is not an easy task, however, some strategies can help make the process a little easier and less traumatic, such as:
Children’s grief varies considerably with age, so these strategies may need to be adapted. For example, seeing a child psychologist can be a great way to guide your child’s grieving process.
It is also important to know that there is no ideal time to tell the child the news and therefore do not wait until the “right time” because this can lead to greater anxiety and delay the grieving process.
Seeking professional help from a psychologist or psychiatrist can be a good way to ensure a healthy grievance process. However, most people can also manage their own pain, so if you don’t feel comfortable, you don’t always need to seek the help of a professional.
However, there are cases where bereavement can be considered “unhealthy” or pathological, especially when feelings are extremely intense or last more than 12 months, in adults, or more than 6 months, in children. . In these situations, professional follow-up is critical.
Signs that may indicate an “unhealthy” grief process, if they continue for several months, are:
This type of bereavement can occur to anyone or at age, however, it is more common in women.