Grief, Bereavement and Depression
Grief?
This is a term that
describes all the feelings, thoughts and behaviour that someone goes through
after bereavement.
Bereavement?
This is a term that can be
used to describe any event that includes loss, so this could mean losing your
job or the death of someone you know. In this article it refers to the death of
a person.
Debate still continues as to
what normal grief consists of and whether it is distinct from depression. It is
very common for people to have symptoms that are often used to diagnose
depression after bereavement. It is less common for people to experience a
depressive illness and require treatment for this.
Grief-
Psychological view
People need strong
affectionate bonds with other people for their emotional wellbeing, and they
try hard to maintain these ties. Loss through death permanently breaks this
bond.
Grief can be seen as a
person's struggle to maintain the emotional bond, while simultaneously
experiencing the reality of loss. 'Grief work' is the process that a mourner
needs to complete before resuming daily life; it involves separating from the
deceased, adjusting to a world without them and forming new relationships.
People grieve not only for
the deceased, but also for the unfulfilled dreams and plans for the future that
they hoped to share with them.
Stages
of grief
Grief usually passes through
three stages, but these stages are not separate, nor do they necessarily follow
in sequence.
- An initial stage of shock or disbelief when it is
difficult to believe that the death has occurred. This stage may last
minutes or weeks.
- A stage of acute anguish that usually lasts from weeks
to months when feelings of depression occur; planning the future may be
difficult.
- A phase of resolution after months, or even years.
Normal
grief?
This is a term used to
describe the typical symptoms somebody experiences after bereavement. It can
include:
- disbelief, shock, numbness and feelings of unreality
- anger
- feelings of guilt
- sadness and tearfulness
- preoccupation with the deceased
- disturbed sleep and appetite and, occasionally, weight
loss
- seeing or hearing the voice of the deceased.
The initial disturbance the
above symptoms causes is gradually reduced and people begin to accept the loss
and readjust.
A grief reaction can last
for up to 12 months, but can vary within different cultures. The average is
probably around six months. A resurgence of symptoms can also occur briefly on
anniversaries of the bereavement and on birthdays, etc of the deceased.
Depression
and grief
Grief and depression are
different. It is possible to grieve without being depressed, but many of the
feelings are similar.
Symptoms that suggest a
bereaved person is also depressed include:
- intense feelings of guilt not related to the
bereavement.
- thoughts of suicide or a preoccupation with dying.
- feelings of worthlessness.
- markedly slow speech and movements, lying in bed doing
nothing all day.
- prolonged or severe inability to function (not able to
work, socialise or enjoy any leisure activity).
- prolonged hallucinations of the deceased, or
hallucinations unrelated to the bereavement.
Treatment
for grief
The support of family and
friends is invaluable to anyone - especially at difficult times. Sadness after
bereavement is natural: it is normal to want to discuss the deceased and become
upset while doing so. Expressing feeling does not make things worse.
Grief counselling helps
mourning by allowing someone to work through the stages of grief in a supported
relationship.
Psychological Counselling along with Homeopathy medicine treatment helps for Grief and Depression
Treatments
for depression
Sometimes when we are going
through a 'bad patch' in our life, it is enough to talk through our problems
with a friend or relative. However, this may not be enough and we may need to
seek professional help. The important thing to remember about depression is
that it is treatable. There are many different types of treatment. These
include medication and talking therapies (psychotherapy).
Psychotherapy
- There are many different forms of psychotherapy.
- Simply talking to somebody or your doctor about your
problems is a form of psychotherapy and can help greatly.
- It is far better to talk about your problems than
'bottling-up' your emotions.
- More formal psychotherapy includes counselling,
cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) and
dynamic psychotherapy or psychoanalysis.
Whom to contact for Depression
& Grief Counseling & Treatment
Dr.Senthil Kumar Treats many cases of all
types of Depression & Grief, In his medical professional &
Psychological experience with successful results. Many patients get relief
after taking treatment from Dr.Senthil Kumar. Dr.Senthil Kumar visits
Chennai at Vivekanantha Homeopathy
Clinic, Velachery, Chennai 42. To get appointment please call 9786901830, +91
94430 54168 or mail to consult.ur.dr@gmail.com,
For more details & Consultation Feel
free to contact us.
Vivekanantha
Clinic & Psychological Consultation Champers at
Chennai:- 9786901830
Panruti:- 9443054168
Pondicherry:- 9865212055 (Camp)
For appointment please
Call us or Mail Us
For
appointment: SMS your Name -Age – Mobile Number - Problem in Single word -
date and day - Place of appointment (Eg: Rajini – 30 - 99xxxxxxx0 – Depression மன அழுத்தம், Grief, சோகம், மன சோர்வு – 21st
Oct, Sunday - Chennai ), You will receive Appointment details through SMS
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