Grief

What is Grief?

Grief is a normal reaction that happens when someone close to us dies.

It means we might feel lots of different feelings such as sadness or anger.

Grief also feels uncomfortable and sometimes we feel like we will be sad forever. Sometimes it might be difficult to sleep or do normal everyday things like go out with our friends or watch a movie.

The good news is that grief has a beginning a middle and an end, a little bit like a story. The story starts when we loose someone and ends when we start to feel better.

You will start to feel better

Remembering Someone

1. Memory Cards – Write a card to the person telling them what you miss about them

2. Release a balloon into the sky with a message inside

3. Look through some photographs of the person and share memories with family members

4. Remember the good things they have taught you

5. Make a memory book filled with photos, memories and special moments you shared

Remember it is ok to be sad but it is not ok for you to be sad forever. You will begin to feel ok. You will never forget who you have lost but you will learn to live without them.

How to Recognise Complicated Grief

Symptoms

During the first few months after a loss, many signs and symptoms of normal grief are the same as those of complicated grief. However, while normal grief symptoms gradually start to fade over time, those of complicated grief linger or get worse. Complicated grief is like being in an ongoing, heightened state of mourning that keeps you from healing.

Signs and symptoms of complicated grief may include:

· Intense sorrow, pain and rumination over the loss of your loved one

· Focus on little else but your loved one's death

· Extreme focus on reminders of the loved one or excessive avoidance of reminders

· Intense and persistent longing or pining for the deceased

· Problems accepting the death

· Numbness or detachment

· Bitterness about your loss

· Feeling that life holds no meaning or purpose

· Lack of trust in others

· Inability to enjoy life or think back on positive experiences with your loved one

Complicated grief also may be indicated if you continue to:

· Have trouble carrying out normal routines

· Isolate from others and withdraw from social activities

· Experience depression, deep sadness, guilt or self-blame

· Believe that you did something wrong or could have prevented the death

· Feel life isn't worth living without your loved one

· Wish you had died along with your loved one

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