There are many different types of losses that can occur within a person’s life that can lead to feelings of sadness or grief. Grief is the reaction that occurs in response to a significant loss within our lives. Some of the typical losses (or aspects of our lives coming to an end) it could be a job, a friendship, relationship, a death, moving home, a position of status, health, a personal goal or dream. While all of these are at times difficult to come to terms with, one of the most challenging is the loss of a loved one; bereavement is the most common life experience that causes a grief response.
Bereavement: the bereavement grief response is a psychological and physical reactions, due to the changes that suddenly take place when a person passes away. When a loved one passes, there are a number of changes that those left behind will have to work through. The severity of the grief and the length of time that this takes place, is dependent upon a number of factors, including the nature of the relationship, involvement in one another's’ lives and end of life care, and one’s state of mind and wellbeing at the time of the loss.
The bereavement is not the only loss that can have a profound impact on people’s lives. There may be a loss of financial security or stability, loss of routines, a shared future, mutual friends or other social opportunities that were connected to that person. The initial grief response will typically decrease in time but may last for many years; however, throughout the first few months the grief response may intensify as the reality of the loss “sinks in”, and the initial influx of support fades as those that are less effected begins to move on or otherwise may be preoccupied with their own grief.
Grief is a long journey that demands patience and courage to adapt to the new life challenges with hope. What is considered a normative grief journey encompasses a range of emotional and mental experiences characterised by shock, physical pain, a sense of loss, mental disorganisation, anxiety anger or guilt, regret, intrusive thoughts or images, feelings of overwhelm, relief or loneliness. No one wants to experience the pain of grief; the problem is that if it is avoided it may just become more overwhelming when it is finally faced. From time-to-time, people need to be distracted from their pain and emotions. Part of coping in a healthy way is shifting between their grief and the other tasks that need to be taken care of as a process of restoring their lives.
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