Friday, November 1st, 2013.
Today we are speaking with Hospice of Havasu, Kathy Casey and Andy Chaet, about bereavement. The entire family can be affected by the sense of loss and grief. Many times, it helps for a grieving person to know what grief really is. Grief is a normal and natural, though often painful, response to loss. The more significant the loss, the more intense the grief is likely to be.
Each individual experiences and expresses grief differently. For example, one person may withdraw and feel helpless, while another might be angry and want to take some action. No matter what the reaction, the grieving person needs the support of others.
The process of grieving in response to a significant loss requires time, patients, courage, and support. The grieving person will likely experience many changes throughout the process. Those changes may include:
SHOCK is often the initial reaction to loss. Shock is the person’s emotional protection from being too suddenly overwhelmed by the loss. The grieving person may feel stunned, numb, or in disbelief concerning the loss.
SUFFERING is the long period of grief during which the person gradually comes to terms with the reality of the loss. The suffering process typically involves a wide range of feelings, thoughts and behaviors, as well as an overall sense of life seeming chaotic and disorganized.
Some common features of suffering include Sadness, Anger, Guilt, and Anxiety.
Our bereavement staff at Hospice of Havasu is experienced in working with those carrying grief.
There are no simple answers, of course, but they will help by listening, by caring and by sharing, privately or in group sessions, all in confidence.
Audio to follow the Interview.
