Although everyone's personal reaction to a bereavement is different, most people experience some of the following emotional responses when someone close to them dies:
Some physical symptoms experienced in bereavement can be quite acute and distressing. It is important to realise that these are normal parts of the grieving process and will pass in time. Physical reactions may include:
The Irish Hospice Foundation provides a website (www.bereaved.ie) that provides advice and information for bereaved people and those supporting them.
There are many bereavement services and support groups throughout the country, including those public, private, professional, voluntary, religious and secular. If you are religious, there may be pastoral care available through your local priest, order, minister, rabbi or congregation. You should make contact through the relevant place of worship.
- Disbelief
- Shock
- Anger
- Sadness
- Relief
- Guilt
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Despair
- Longing
- Loneliness
Some physical symptoms experienced in bereavement can be quite acute and distressing. It is important to realise that these are normal parts of the grieving process and will pass in time. Physical reactions may include:
- loss of energy and interest in life
- an inability to sleep or constant tiredness
- poor concentration and forgetfulness
- loss of appetite or compulsive comfort eating
- a "frozen" inability to cry or a tendency to continuously burst into tears
- nausea and/or diarrhoea
- headaches and unexplained body pains
The Irish Hospice Foundation provides a website (www.bereaved.ie) that provides advice and information for bereaved people and those supporting them.
There are many bereavement services and support groups throughout the country, including those public, private, professional, voluntary, religious and secular. If you are religious, there may be pastoral care available through your local priest, order, minister, rabbi or congregation. You should make contact through the relevant place of worship.