WIP - ch. 7: grieving special kinds of losses

how many people are left to grieve suicide?

750,000 people

what are the three questions people think about after a loved one commits suicide?

• why did they do it?

• why didn’t I stop it?

• how could they do this to me?

is suicide considered a socially unspeakable death?

yes!

what are some feelings associated with a loved one committing suicide?

shame, guilt, blame, anger, low self esteem, fear, low self esteem

what are some ways a grief therapist could help someone who has a loved one that committed suicide?

reality testing, correcting denials and distortions, exploring fantasies of future, managing anger, help find meaning in death

what is a special kind of loss that occurs without warning - like heart attacks, homicide, accidents?

sudden loss

what are some feelings surrounding a sudden loss?

unreality around loss, searching for something to blame, feelings of guilt, involvement of medical and legal authority, helplessness

what could further complicate reaction to a SIDS death?

involvement of legal system in form of an autopsy

what are some considerations associated with a miscarriage?

loss is socially negated, parents may or may not experience support, can have a health component, self-blaming

what are some considerations associated with a stillbirth?

consider that whole family has experienced a loss, never try to focus on upbeat potential for future pregnancies, similar effects to a miscarriage

what are some considerations associated with an abortion?

possibly overlooked loss, could bring forth feelings of grief and guilt in survivors

what is anticipatory grief?

grief prior to loss, tasks of mourning can start to take place before death

what are some considerations associated with anticipatory grief?

prolonged grieving can produce resentment, absence of grief at time of death, sometimes symptoms of grief lessen at death and sometimes they do not