The loss of someone close to us can quickly turn
our world into an unfamiliar place. Coping with what used to be routine becomes
exhausting. Grief affects us not only emotionally, but also physically. A common feeling of people dealing with
bereavement is the feeling of going crazy. These feelings affect friends, family
and relatives in the following ways:
our world into an unfamiliar place. Coping with what used to be routine becomes
exhausting. Grief affects us not only emotionally, but also physically. A common feeling of people dealing with
bereavement is the feeling of going crazy. These feelings affect friends, family
and relatives in the following ways:
1. Exhaustion
Perhaps
the most commonly reported effect of bereavement is utter exhaustion and
confusion. They become so weak that we actually feel like we have the flu. The
thought of getting dressed, driving a car, getting money, paying a cashier,
carrying the gallon, driving home-just these thoughts alone, can leave a
griever hungry for sleep.
the most commonly reported effect of bereavement is utter exhaustion and
confusion. They become so weak that we actually feel like we have the flu. The
thought of getting dressed, driving a car, getting money, paying a cashier,
carrying the gallon, driving home-just these thoughts alone, can leave a
griever hungry for sleep.
2. Distraction
After experiencing a death, it’s
like we lose the most basic of skills. Those things that we once did with ease
become difficult and challenging.
like we lose the most basic of skills. Those things that we once did with ease
become difficult and challenging.
3. Withdrawal
Many people will experience a state of numbness
after bereavement. The world may take on a dreamlike quality or seem to go on
separate from them. Often experiences or people that once evoked joy and
happiness evoke nothing at all. Activities once enjoyed seem foreign. Some
people spend a relatively short time in this numb state, as short as a few
days, while others find it lingers. This is part of how our bodies help to
protect us from the overwhelming emotions caused by our loved one’s death. We
become numb and filter through information as we are able, instead of all at
once.
after bereavement. The world may take on a dreamlike quality or seem to go on
separate from them. Often experiences or people that once evoked joy and
happiness evoke nothing at all. Activities once enjoyed seem foreign. Some
people spend a relatively short time in this numb state, as short as a few
days, while others find it lingers. This is part of how our bodies help to
protect us from the overwhelming emotions caused by our loved one’s death. We
become numb and filter through information as we are able, instead of all at
once.
4. Impulsive
living
living
While some grievers withdraw, others will
compulsively pursue activities. The thought process often goes like this,
“Life is short. I would better do everything now that I always wanted to
do. Others will take unnecessary risks.
compulsively pursue activities. The thought process often goes like this,
“Life is short. I would better do everything now that I always wanted to
do. Others will take unnecessary risks.
5. The world
becomes dreamlike
becomes dreamlike
Many
people who have lost someone suddenly, find almost everything in world as
vanity. It is almost as if we are floating without seeing or comprehending.
Everything becomes a blur as the concept of time disappears. Others feel that
what has happened is only a bad dream from which they will wake up to find
everything back to normal.
people who have lost someone suddenly, find almost everything in world as
vanity. It is almost as if we are floating without seeing or comprehending.
Everything becomes a blur as the concept of time disappears. Others feel that
what has happened is only a bad dream from which they will wake up to find
everything back to normal.
