Understanding Grief and Loss
John D. McKellar, PhD Private Practice, SF Bay Area Bay Area Pain and Wellness Center
The Universal Response of Grief • All cultures include rituals associated with grief • There exists a lot of variability in how one is supposed to grieve – How long the period lasts – How openly one is expected to show emotions – Practices are often tied to religious practices
Grief and Depression
Coping with Grief
Coping with Grief
Coping with Grief
What Prolongs Grief Circumstances of the Death- How unexpected was the death, how old was the individual, the level of suffering associated with the death Relationship to the Individual- How often was the person a part of your dayto-day life or how much support did the person offer to you, and Prior Experiences with Depression/PTSD- Grief can trigger an increase in symptoms of each of these disorders Anger or Bitterness over the Circumstances- Strong emotions that are tied to feelings of injustice can be long-standing
Intervention Targets 1. Give permission to feel normal sadness
2. Experience the sadness and don’t avoid the emotion
3. Find ways to experience positive emotions again
4. Explore/Acknowledge realities of the situation
5. Rejuvenate social connections
Other Losses 1. Financial 2. Occupation 3. Hobbies/Activities 4. Health/Physical Functioning 5. Dreams and Expectations
Intervention Targets 1. Give permission to feel normal sadness
2. Experience the sadness and don’t avoid the emotion
3. Find ways to experience positive emotions again
4. Explore/Acknowledge realities of the situation (acceptance)
5. Rejuvenate social connections