Grief and loss

1. Grief and loss

2. Quiz What is grief?

3. What Is Grief? • Grief: deep and painful emotions experienced because of a loss • Anticipatory Grief: a feeling of loss before a death or dreaded event occurs • Sources of Loss: • Abandonment • Death of a loved one • Divorce • Ending a relationship • Loss of a friend • Death of a pet • Move to a new home

4. Sudden vs. Predictable Loss • Sudden Loss: shocking losses due to crimes, accidents, or suicide. • There is no way to prepare • Predictable Loss: such as terminal illness sometimes allows more time to prepare for the loss.

5. What Is the Difference Between Grief and Mourning? • Mourning is the external part of loss. It is the actions we take, the rituals and the customs.  • Grief is the internal part of loss, how we feel. • The internal work of grief is a process, a journey.

6. The Grieving Process • People who are grieving might: • Feel strong emotions, such as sadness and anger • Have physical reactions, such as not sleeping or even waves of nausea • Have trouble concentrating, studying, sleeping, or eating • There is no right or wrong way to grieve. • There is no set time limit for grief. • Grief is like an emotional rollercoaster. • A grieving person may have extreme emotional highs and lows.

7. Normal Grief Reactions • Feel like you are "going crazy" • Have difficulty concentrating • Feel sad or depressed • Be irritable or angry (at the deceased, oneself, others, higher powers) • Feel frustrated or misunderstood • Experience anxiety, nervousness, or fearfulness • Feel like you want to "escape" • Experience guilt or remorse • Feel numb • Lack energy and motivation

8. Coping With Grief • Grief is different for everyone. • Some people reach out to others and find comfort in memories, some become very busy to take their minds off the loss, and some avoid places or situations that remind them of their passed loved one. • Any grief response is ok, unless it is harmful to yourself, others, or property. What are some ways in which you grieve?

9. Stages of Grief“DABDA” This can’t be happening!! It’s going to be ok. This isn’t fair! If I do this, will you take away the pain? I’m so sad, why bother with anything?

10. Sprinkles the Gold Fish • 5 Stages of Grief • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcNQGNUncd4

11. Caring For Yourself • Remember that grief is a normal emotion. Know that you can (and will) heal over time. • Participate in rituals.Memorial services, funerals, and other traditions help people get through the first few days and honor the person who died. • Be with others.Even informal gatherings of family and friends bring a sense of support and help people not to feel so isolated in the first days and weeks of their grief. • Talk about it when you can.Some people find it helpful to tell the story of their loss or talk about their feelings. • Express yourself.Keep a journal, write a song, or poem • What are some other ways in which you can care for yourself?

12. Supporting Others Who Are Grieving • Be a good listener • Ask about their feelings • Just sit with them • Share your feelings • Ask about their loss • Remember the loss • Acknowledge the pain • Let them feel sad • Be available when you can • Do not minimize grief • Talk about your own losses

13. Who Can I Talk To? • ME! • Someone you trust, friends, family members,teachers • Ball State University Counseling Clinic • Teacher’s College • (765) 285-8047 • Life to Life 3414 W FoxRidge Lane Muncie, In 47304 Business Phone: 765-254-1434 Business Hours: 8 - 5 week days

14. Resources • www.helpguide.org • www.kidshealth.org • www.childrensroom.org • www.childgrief.org • www.cmhc.utexas.edu/grief/loss.html • www.griefcounseling.us • www.earlytraumagrief.anu.edu.au/resources