The emotional disturbance of bereavement
The death of a loved one causes severe distress Unfortunately, this is not a rare occurrence Most people go through periods of sadness, hopelessness and sometimes guilt and anger at this time Over time, these feelings subside and the person adjusts to the loss, taking steps to continue living
For some people, the feelings of mourning do not go away This condition is called bereavement disorder At such a time, painful thoughts and feelings are long-lasting and so strong that it is difficult for a person to continue living and adjust to the death of a loved one.
People meet and adapt to this event in different ways The sequence and duration of the phases is different for each person These phases are:
- Awareness of the reality of the loss
- Feeling pain and sadness
- Adjusting to the new reality, without a close person
- Continuing, establishing other relationships
Difference is normal, although if a person cannot go through these phases for a certain time Treatment is necessary Treatment helps you find peace of mind and come to terms with reality
It is not known what causes bereavement disorder As with other mental disorders, a combination of heredity, environment, body chemistry, and personality is likely.
In the months following the death of a loved one, many symptoms and signs appear that characterize the normal course of grieving. During normal mourning, the symptoms decrease over time, while during emotional disturbances, they increase Bereavement is a long-term condition
Signs and symptoms of bereavement disorder are: - Strong sadness and emotion when thinking about the deceased person
- A person is unable to think about anything but death
- Focusing on the deceased person's belongings or, conversely, getting rid of them
It is especially necessary to talk to a doctor if over time you have:
- Inability to carry out daily routines
- Withdrawal from social activities
- Depression, severe sadness
- Feelings of guilt
- Thoughts that you made a mistake and death could have been avoided
If you have these thoughts, be sure to talk to someone you trust If you think you might harm yourself, be sure to call 112 or a suicide prevention hotline
