Grief and Bereavement

Grief, loss, and bereavement are deeply personal experiences that everyone faces at some point. Grief is the emotional reaction to losing someone or something important, triggering feelings such as sadness or guilt. Loss refers to the absence itself, while bereavement is the period of mourning and adjusting to this absence. Understanding these terms can help us better navigate our emotions during tough times.

Common signs of grief and
bereavement

Grief can show up in many ways, and recognising the signs can help you manage it better. Here are some common emotional, physical, and behavioural signs:

What you may not be aware of about
grief...

1

Grief can affect your
physical and mental health

2

The 5 stages of grief are
denial, anger, bargaining,
depression, and acceptance

3

About 9% of Australians
deal with prolonged grief
disorder

4

Grief can lead to a 20%
increase in doctor visits due
to physical health issues
related to stress

What the research says
about grief

Losing someone close can hit hard, and while most people find their sadness eases over time, some face a tougher road with prolonged grief disorder. This condition affects around 7%-10% of adults and 5%-10% of kids and teens who’ve lost a loved one.

Prolonged grief disorder isn’t just feeling sad for a long time; it’s when grief gets intense and sticks around, making everyday life a struggle. Symptoms include being constantly caught up in thoughts of the person who’s passed, feeling emotionally numb, and finding it tough to get back into the swing of things.

Certain things can up the chances of developing prolonged grief disorder, like age, previous battles with depression or bipolar disorder, and sudden or traumatic losses. If you’ve been a caregiver or had a partner to care for, that can also increase your risk.

Luckily, the DSM-5-TR (the latest update) now has clear guidelines for diagnosing prolonged grief disorder. This helps clinicians separate it from normal grief and offer the right support.

When it comes to treatment, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is a go-to. It helps you accept the loss while rebuilding your life and finding new meaning and happiness without your loved one. Complicated grief treatment, a specific type of CBT, focuses on processing the loss and learning to live without them.

Support groups are also a big help. They provide a place to connect with others who understand and can offer support and comfort. This can make a huge difference in feeling less alone and coping better.

While there aren’t specific medicines for grief itself, therapies like CBT can also help with related issues, such as sleep problems, which are common with prolonged grief disorder.

Even with effective treatments available, many people don’t seek help. It could be because of stigma around mental health or not knowing what’s out there. But raising awareness and making support more accessible are steps in the right direction.

Understanding prolonged grief disorder is crucial. By knowing the signs, risks, and treatments, we can better support those going through it and help them find their way through one of life’s toughest challenges.

*Source: Prolonged Grief Disorder – American Psychiatric Association

Tips for managing grief and loss

Our Psychologists are highly qualified with Masters or Doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology. They
use Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), the gold standard for many psychological issues, along with
other evidence-based treatments like Mindfulness and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).