Chapter 1:

Grief &
Bereavement
 Content
1. Myths
1.2 Grief
◦ 1.2.1 Type of Grief
◦ 1.2.2 Physical & Psychological Reaction to Grief
◦ 1.2.3 Stages of grief – Kubler Ross
◦ 1.2.4 Child grief
1.3. Bereavement
◦ 1.3.1.Phases of bereavement
◦ 1.3.2 Need of the bereavement
1.4 Pathological Depression
1.5 video
 Myths
1. People all over the world view grief in a very similar way.
2. Children do not grieve.
3. Children should not go to funerals or other death-related rituals.
4. People who are grieving appropriately usually get over their grief within
6 months.
5. Crying is a must and it must not be more than 1 year.
6. It is more helpful to the bereaved person if the loss is not mentioned.
 Definition
GRIEF
Grief is the natural response to a
loss or death in which there is a
FEELING of deep sadness caused
by someone’s death
 Definition
BEREAVEMENT
The STATE or fact of being
bereaved or deprived of something
or someone, especially the loss of
a loved one by death.
 Types of Grief
Anticipatory grief/Uncomplicated
◦Occurs when expected loss or death.

Complicated/unresolved grief
◦Occurs when there is loss or sudden death.
◦Prolonged duration, individual appears to be
“stuck” in the moment.
◦Requires intensive help.
 Physical & Psychological
Reaction to Grief
• Sadness • Hollowness in the
• Anger (after the stomach
loss) • Tightness in the
• Anxiety chest
• Shock PHYSICAL • Weakness in the
EMOTION
SENSATION muscle
• Dry mouth

• Disbelief • Absentminded behavior

• Confusion COGNITIONS BEHAVIOURS
• Social withdrawal
• Preoccupation • Avoiding reminders of the
• Sense of presence deceased
• Searching and calling out
Stages of Grief
DENIAL

ACCEPTANCE ANGER

DEPRESSION BARGAINING
Emotional Response
 Child Grief
Expressions of grief & helping children cope
Expressions of grief:
◦Emotional shock
◦Regressive (immature) behaviours
◦Explosive emotions and acting out behaviour
◦Asking the same questions over and over
The Grieving Process
Coping with Death
Video
WELLCAST : Coping With Grief
 Helping Children Cope
Don’t assume that every child in a certain age group understands
death in the same way or with the same feelings.

Don’t lie or tell half truths to children about the tragic event

Help all children, regardless of age, to understand loss and death

Let children know that you really want to understand what they are
feeling or what they need

Children will need long lasting support

 Pathological Grief

Reaction to loss can present

with symptoms characteristic
of major depressive disorder
(sadness, insomnia, weight
loss, poor appetite)
 Pathological Grief
(Presence of Any of The Following Criteria
Guilt about things other than action taken or not taken by the survivor at the
time of death

Thoughts of death other than the survivor feeling that he or she would be better
off dead or should have died with the deceased person

Morbid preoccupation with worthlessness

Prolonged and marked functional impairment

Hallucinatory experiences other than thinking that he or she hears the voice of
or transiently sees the image of the deceased person.
 Video
SEKERAS
KERIKIL
DISCUSSION