PTSD can occur after a bereavement just like after any major trauma in life. A death is, after all, one of the worst traumas we ever have to face. But, of course, not everyone gets PTSD after losing a loved one and PTSD is a bit different from grief. So what exactly is PTSD and why does it happen after a bereavement?
PTSD after a bereavement can occur when:
You are particularly at risk if you have been exposed to several traumatic events, or multiple bereavements.
While people grieving do get bad dreams and might sometimes think they have seen their loved one or hear their voice, the symptoms of PTSD can be much more intense and frightening.
You might experience:
People with PTSD after a loss may also experience any of the following:
In America, 7 - 8% of people will experience PTSD at some time in their lives.
Many people will recover from the worst symptoms within a few weeks, especially if they have support from family and friends.
It's important if it goes on for longer than this to seek help. If PTSD goes on for a long time, other mental health symptoms such as depression, anxiety, drug or alcohol use can also occur.
The treatment most recommended by mental health organisations is psychological therapy (talking therapies) such as CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) or online therapies - either through courses or with a professional.
We recommend BetterHelp who provide confidential online counseling (including CBT) with expert therapists and counselors. You can read more about how this therapy works here.
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Do you feel alone and sad with no support and no idea how to move forward? It can be tough when you are stuck in grief to find the motivation to get the most out of your precious life.
Online counseling can help by giving you that support so you don't feel so alone. You can have someone to talk to anytime you like, a kind and understanding person who will help you to find meaning in life again, to treasure the memories of your loved one without being overwhelmed and to enjoy your activities, family and friends again.
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Try a gentle hypnotherapy track to relax the mind. Learn how self-hypnosis can help you cope with grief at any time of the day or night.
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Can bereavement cause memory loss?
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Check out our lovely range of memorial jewelry for any lost loved one. Pendants, necklaces, rings or bracelets, we have them all in all kinds of styles. Choose for yourself or buy as a sympathy gift.
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For USA Residents:
Please help our colleagues at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, USA by joining in their research study:
Losing a child to cancer is devastating, and there is a critical need to develop effective supports.
A federally-funded study in the United States (US) evaluating different types of support for bereaved parents is currently seeking participants. Parents residing in the US may be eligible if they lost a child diagnosed with cancer at least 6 months ago and live in one of the following states: NY, NJ, PA, CT, FL, or TN (other eligible states are being added, please complete the survey to check with us).
To find out if you may be eligible, please click here, visit our website at bereavedparentsupportstudy.com, or email us at parentstudy@mskcc.org.
Our free downloadable and printable document "The 10 Most Important Things You Can Do To Survive Your Grief And Get On With Life" will help you to be positive day to day.
The 10 points are laid out like a poem on two pretty pages which you can pin on your fridge door to help you every day!
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