Changes

Losses can range from loss of [[Work|employment]], pets, [[status]], a sense of [[Security|safety]], order, or possessions, to the loss of loved ones. Our [[response]] to loss is varied and [[researchers]] have moved away from [[convention]]al views of grief (that is, that people move through an orderly and [[predictable]] series of responses to loss) to one that considers the wide variety of responses that are influenced by [[personality]], [[family]], [[culture]], and [[spiritual]] and religious [[beliefs]] and [[practices]].

Losses can range from loss of [[Work|employment]], pets, [[status]], a sense of [[Security|safety]], order, or possessions, to the loss of loved ones. Our [[response]] to loss is varied and [[researchers]] have moved away from [[convention]]al views of grief (that is, that people move through an orderly and [[predictable]] series of responses to loss) to one that considers the wide variety of responses that are influenced by [[personality]], [[family]], [[culture]], and [[spiritual]] and religious [[beliefs]] and [[practices]].

 

Bereavement, while a [[normal]] part of life, carries a degree of [[risk]] when limited support is available. Severe reactions to loss may carry over into familial relations and cause trauma for [[children]], spouses and any other [[family]] members: there is an increased risk of marital breakup following the [[death]] of a child, for example. Issues of [[faith]] and [[beliefs]] may also face [[challenge]], as bereaved persons reassess personal definitions in the face of great [[pain]].

Bereavement, while a [[normal]] part of life, carries a degree of [[risk]] when limited support is available. Severe reactions to loss may carry over into familial relations and cause trauma for [[children]], spouses and any other [[family]] members: there is an increased risk of marital breakup following the [[death]] of a child, for example. Issues of [[faith]] and [[beliefs]] may also face [[challenge]], as bereaved persons reassess personal definitions in the face of great [[pain]].

Adolescents may respond by delinquency, or oppositely become 'over-achievers': repetitive [[actions]] are not uncommon such as washing a car repeatedly or taking up repetitive tasks such as sewing, computer games, etc. It is an effort to stay 'above' the grief. Childhood loss as mentioned before can predispose a child not only to [[physical]] illness but to [[emotional]] problems and an increased risk for suicide, especially in the adolescent period.

Adolescents may respond by delinquency, or oppositely become 'over-achievers': repetitive [[actions]] are not uncommon such as washing a car repeatedly or taking up repetitive tasks such as sewing, computer games, etc. It is an effort to stay 'above' the grief. Childhood loss as mentioned before can predispose a child not only to [[physical]] illness but to [[emotional]] problems and an increased risk for suicide, especially in the adolescent period.

==Death of a child==

==Death of a child==

Death of a child can take the form of a loss in infancy such as miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death, SIDS, or the death of an older child.[8] In all cases, parents find the grief almost unbearably devastating, and while [[persons]] may rate the death of a [[spouse]] as first in traumatic life events, the death of a child is still perhaps one of the most intense forms of grief, holding greater risk factors.

Death of a child can take the form of a loss in infancy such as miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death, SIDS, or the death of an older child.[8] In all cases, parents find the grief almost unbearably devastating, and while [[persons]] may rate the death of a spouse as first in traumatic life events, the death of a child is still perhaps one of the most intense forms of grief, holding greater risk factors.

This loss also bears a lifelong [[process]]: one does not get 'over' the loss but instead must assimilate and live with the [[death]].[9] Intervention and comforting support can make all the difference to the survival of a parent in this type of grief but the risk factors are great and may include [[family]] breakup or suicide.

This loss also bears a lifelong [[process]]: one does not get 'over' the loss but instead must assimilate and live with the [[death]].[9] Intervention and comforting support can make all the difference to the survival of a parent in this type of grief but the risk factors are great and may include [[family]] breakup or suicide.

Feelings of [[guilt]], whether legitimate or not, are pervasive, and the dependent [[nature]] of the [[relationship]] disposes [[parents]] to a variety of problems as they seek to cope with this great loss. Parents who suffer miscarriage or abortion may experience resentment towards others who experience successful pregnancies.

Feelings of [[guilt]], whether legitimate or not, are pervasive, and the dependent [[nature]] of the [[relationship]] disposes [[parents]] to a variety of problems as they seek to cope with this great loss. Parents who suffer miscarriage or abortion may experience resentment towards others who experience successful pregnancies.

==Death of a spouse==

==Death of a spouse==

Although the death of a spouse may be an expected [[change]], it is a particularly [[power]]ful loss of a loved-one. A spouse often becomes part of the other in a [[unique]] way: many widows and widowers describe losing 'half' of themselves. After a long [[marriage]], at older ages, the elderly may find it a very difficult assimilation to begin anew.

Although the death of a spouse may be an expected [[change]], it is a particularly [[power]]ful loss of a loved-one. A spouse often becomes part of the other in a [[unique]] way: many widows and widowers describe losing 'half' of themselves. After a long [[marriage]], at older ages, the elderly may find it a very difficult assimilation to begin anew.