Bereavement

Bereavement is the emotional reaction felt or experienced after the death or loss of someone or something you were strongly emotionally attached to.

Bereavement and/or grief can have a huge impact and can potentially decimate the dynamic of your life. It can alter what you believe in, your outlook on life, your personality and even your entire sense of reality.

Everyone deals with loss and grief differently. There is no certain amount of time to adjust to the loss you have endured, and there is no right or wrong way to do so. Grief is a very normal human reaction to any kind of loss, and the effects of any loss can surface in many different ways: whether that be anger, self-isolation, denial, or becoming reckless and acting out of character. Bereavement can also lead to mental health issues, such as depression, which are more serious and can be difficult to overcome.

Grief can be a trigger for other underlying issues that you may have previously been able to cope with. However the intense experience of grief may cause these issues to become overwhelming.

It is perfectly normal to experience these reactions to loss:

• Poor appetite
• Insomnia
• Preoccupation
• Sense of worthlessness
• Anger
• Frustration
• Sense of helplessness

However, if these symptoms persist and you find your ability to cope with life has diminished it might be a good idea to seek help before your grief reaches a point where you feel you can’t manage with your daily life. Consider contacting your GP or a counsellor.