Grief Awareness Day

Grief and how it can affect your mental health -- Grief Awareness Day  

Grief is a natural response to the loss of a loved one. For most people, the symptoms of grief will decrease over time. However, some people discover the feeling of intense grief persists, and the symptoms are severe enough to cause a change in how they function on an everyday basis. The symptoms associated with grief can even cause problems that stop them from functioning or reacting the same. Prolonged Grief Disorder is characterized by intense and persistent grief that causes problems and interferes with your daily life. 

Symptoms and Diagnosis  

An individual with prolonged grief disorder may experience an intense longing for the person who died or is preoccupied with thoughts of their memories. In children and adolescents, the preoccupation may focus on the circumstances around the death. Additionally, the individual may experience significant distress or problems performing daily activities at home, work, or other vital areas. For a diagnosis of grief disorder, the loss of a loved one had to have occurred at least a year ago for adults, and at least six months ago for children and adolescents. In addition, the grieving individual must have experienced at least three of the symptoms below nearly every day for at least the last month prior to the diagnosis.  

Symptoms include identity disruption, a marked sense of disbelief about death, avoidance of reminders that a person is dead, and intense emotional pain such as anger, bitterness, and sorrow. Bereavement support groups can also provide a useful source of social connection and support. They can help people feel less alone thus helping avoid the isolation that could increase un that could increase grief disorder, The majority did not access mental health services. Some individuals may be at greater risk of developing Prolonged grief disorder. Caregivers, especially if they were caring for a partner or had experienced depression or bipolar disorder. Caregivers of a loved one will suffer from grief very suddenly or under traumatic circumstances.  

Treatment  

For most people grief-related symptoms following the death of a loved one decrease over time and do not impact their everyday functioning. Although feelings and symptoms of grief may sometimes increase at different points in time, they do not usually require mental health treatment. However, for people who develop more intense, ongoing symptoms of prolonged grief disorder, evidence-based treatments are available. Treatments using elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy, also known as CBT, have been found to be effective in reducing symptoms.  One type of treatment, complicated grief treatment, incorporates components of CBT and other approaches to help adapt to the loss. It focuses on both accepting the reality of loss and restoration, working towards goals, and a sense of satisfaction. 

Conclusion  

In conclusion, this is one of many types of services we at Consumer Advocate Network staff of skilled advocates work with the consumers to work through if you or someone you know is suffering from grief and need to find resources to help in the recovery process from grief and loss feel free to contact us at 202-842-0001. There will be someone waiting and willing to help you as you go through this journey of addressing your feelings associated with the grief or trauma you may be experiencing, which will be the first step on your healing journey.