Grief is how we react to the loss after someone has died. Bereavement refers to time after the death of a person with whom we have had a relationship.
Grief can be expressed very differently from person to person. For each person, grief and loss is personal and unique. Most people learn to cope with loss over time with the support of family, friends and their community. For around six percent of people who lose someone, their grief is chronic and disabling.
After the death of your loved one, there may be a sense of abandonment. Over time, friends and family begin to get on with their own lives. People involved in caring for your loved one may stop coming to the house. This can add to feelings of abandonment and isolation. The change makes it even more important to ask for help if you need it.
When grief is extreme and disabling, a person’s ability to cope day to day is impacted. In cases of disabling grief, it is important to seek help. Signs that you may need to seek help include:
- appetite changes (loss of appetite or overeating)
- intense sadness
- difficulty sleeping
- feelings of emptiness and despair
- thoughts of harming yourself.
Be kind to yourself. You have been through a lot, and while it might feel difficult to ask for help, it is courageous.
Talk confidentially with your GP, the palliative care service involved in caring for your loved one, or with a relative or friend that you trust. With support, you can begin to move forward, feel better and become more able to cope.
Your MND Advisor is available to talk with you during this time. They can give information about where to seek some more formal support such as counselling.
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