Bereavement is a term used to describe the experience of losing a loved one and the associated emotions such as sadness, anger, and guilt. While grieving is a normal and natural process, it can be overwhelming and challenging for some individuals to manage. Complicated bereavement can lead to feelings of depression, withdrawal, and anger.
Some common symptoms of bereavement may include:
- Intense sorrow and pain when thinking about the loved one
- Difficulty accepting the death
- Feeling that life has no purpose
- Inability to focus on anything besides the deathÂ
- Numbness or detachment
- Extreme focus on or avoidance of reminders of the loved one
- Irritability or agitation
- Lack of trust in others
- Inability to enjoy life or thinking about the positive experiences with the loved one
If these symptoms persist and interfere with daily functioning, it may be helpful to seek counselling. Signs that bereavement may be more complicated and require treatment may include difficulty carrying out normal activities, withdrawal from social activities, depression, self-blame or guilt, and loss of a sense of purpose in life.
Various therapies may be effective in helping individuals cope with bereavement, including:
- Cognitive-behavioral counselling
- Cognitive-analytic counselling
- Psychodynamic counselling
- Dynamic interpersonal counselling
- Acceptance and commitment counselling
The team at Hypoworry Online Counselling has experience in treating complicated bereavement and can recommend the most suitable approach for each individual.
