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Can bereavement cause PTSD?

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 have witnessed a death or
  • when death of a family member was violent such as a murder or suicide or accidental death

You are particularly at risk if you have been exposed to several traumatic events, or multiple bereavements.  

Woman all in black showing signs of ptsd

What are the symptoms of PTSD after a bereavement?  

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: 

  • recurrent distressing memories
  • nightmares
  • flashbacks
  • acute distress when reminded of the event
  • hypervigilance and difficulty sleeping
  • being easily startled
  • reckless or self-destructive behaviour

People with PTSD after a loss may also experience any of the following: 

  • trying to avoid reminders of the death such as people, places, activities
  • inability to remember all or part of the circumstances of the loss
  • self-blame, fear, guilt, negativity, anger, aggression, irritability
  • inability to form close relationships with others

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.  

Treatment for PTSD after Bereavement 

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.   

Where to get help: 

Have You Considered One-on-One Online Grief Counseling? 

Get Expert and Effective Help in the Comfort of Your Own Home

The following information about online counseling is sponsored by 'Betterhelp' but all the opinions are our own. To be upfront, we do receive a commission when you sign up with 'Betterhelp', but we have total faith in their expertise and would never recommend something we didn't completely approve.  

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.

Woman Crying. Get Started with Online CounsellingClick here to receive 20% off your first month. Exclusive to GriefandSympathy readers.

Sales from our pages result in a small commission to us which helps us to continue our work supporting the grieving.  

Hypnosis for Grief - 10 Ways It Can Help You

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.  

Read more about it here. 

Related Pages: 

Can bereavement cause depression? 

Can bereavement cause memory loss? 



For Remembrance: 

Sales from our pages result in a small commission to us which helps us to continue our work supporting the grieving.  

Heart Shaped Sterling Silver Pendant for Cremation Ashes, Engraved Forever Loved

Memorial Jewelry to Honour a Loved One

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. 

Click here to see our selection

Create an Online Memorial Website

Honour your loved one with their own memorial website.  Share photos, videos, memories and more with your family and friends in a permanent online website.  Free for basic plan with no ads. 

Find out more here. 

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:



SUPPORT FOR BEREAVED PARENTS

Parent Support Study Logo

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.

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