Dr. Eboni Green
January 6, 2022
At Caregiver Support Services, we fully understand that the death of a loved one can be a traumatic and debilitating event. The severity of the trauma can depend on the relationship you had with the deceased and the cause of death. People cope with loss in many different ways and experience a broad range of emotions.
The death of your child can trigger a sense of injustice and anger. Parents may feel a loss of part of their own identity, feel responsible, or grieve for a lost future with their child. Losing a spouse is not only extremely traumatic but may necessitate major sudden life changes. The surviving spouse can suffer severe loneliness, depression, and shock. They may be left to parent alone, return to work, suffer financial crisis, and adjust to single living. An elderly surviving spouse may be left to deal with even deeper loneliness and depression due to a lifetime of companionship memories.
One of the most sudden and difficult losses to endure is suicide. Survivors may be left with feelings of responsibility, guilt, anger, and shame. Seeking counseling for dealing with suicide or any other death can be beneficial.
Suffering the loss of a loved one can easily lead to depression and anxiety. It is important to know that experiencing a wide range of emotions is completely normal. Denial, disbelief, yearning, guilt, anger, confusion, humiliation, sadness, despair, and shock are all common and can manifest at different times and in no discernable order. Moods can change quickly and vary in duration and intensity. These feelings can even cause physical symptoms such as loss of appetite, stomach pain, sleep problems, and loss of energy.
When these symptoms go unchecked, unresolved, or intensify, they can lead to depression and anxiety. Clinical depression and anxiety can cause major issues like phobias, bipolar disorder, panic attacks, schizophrenia, substance abuse and personality disorders.
Depression and anxiety due to the loss of a loved one are common but treatable. Seeking out caring and supportive friends or family can be key to avoid feelings of loneliness and despair. There are also many support groups for people with similar losses. Talking to others about your feelings and fears can help you through the grieving process. If your grief is taking a toll at work, Zenbusiness recommends improving your health and happiness at work by sitting less, changing your routine, and regularly eating healthy snacks.
Be patient and postpone major life changes until you have worked through your grief and have accepted the loss of your loved one. Making a big change like moving, remarrying, or trying to have another child too soon can just be a way to replace or distract from your loss instead of adjusting and coping.
Relaxation recordings and guided imagery are inexpensive and useful tools for depression and anxiety that also boast zero side effects. Music and relaxation tools can easily be found and accessed online for free.
Breathing exercises can be a very effective way to quell anxiety and panic attacks. Deep breathing techniques focus your mind on bringing oxygen in and letting negativity out. You can also focus on your five senses to get your mind off the things that are making you anxious.
Most importantly, if you or a loved one is still having a hard time dealing with a loss and experiencing depression or anxiety, seek professional help. The sooner you find coping strategies that work, the healthier you will get so you can get back to enjoying life.
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Thank you, Alice, for your contribution.
About Alice Robertson
My name is Alice Robertson, and like many homeowners I enjoy keeping a tidy home. Who wants to spend time cleaning and picking up after a long day at work, running errands, or transporting the kids to that activity you forgot you signed them up for? Not me, and I’m sure you don’t either. Plus, there’s just something about coming home to organization and a clean scent that makes me happy. I specialize in home organization, whether it’s decluttering to prepare for a move, deep cleaning for company, a dinner party, or an open house, or simply cleaning up the chaos of everyday life.
