Losing a child, whether anticipated or unexpected, can bring overwhelming pain.
The grief that follows the death of a child is likely to feel paralyzing and endless.
This article provides an overview of common grief reactions, options for seeking help, and ways to cope.
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Grief is experienced uniquely by each person and comes and goes in different ways over time.
you could think of grief as a bumpy, winding road that sometimes causes slowdowns and sometimes feels smooth.
The emotions parents experience while grieving the loss of a child vary considerably from person to person.
They may also change from one day to the next.
Grief ebbs and flows and changes with time.
Some days will be very hard and others will be a little easier.
Acute vs.
Integrated Grief
Acute grief is the immediate response following a loss.
The focus tends to be on memories of the person who died, and it can feel all-consuming.
The circumstances of the death can also impact the severity of the reaction.
Death from violence,suicide, and unexpected deaths are often more difficult to cope with.
Eventually, the worst parts of grief should ease and allow space for finding enjoyment in life again.
As this happens, grief is becoming integrated.
For those experiencing complicated grief, it may feel like the acute grief phase is never-ending.
Complicated grief is most common in those who have lost a child.
How Common Is Complicated Grief?
It’s also important to look for support while grieving the loss of a child.
Whether it’s professional help or peer-based, asking for help can be difficult.
Therapy
Sometimes, it’s helpful to speak to a professional to work through the grieving process.
Support Groups
Working through child loss can be a lonely experience.
Throughsupport groups, grieving parents can come together with others who are coping with similar circumstances.
Thus, grieving siblings need a chance to express their feelings, get support, and learn coping strategies.
As parents grieve, they often give less emotional attention to surviving children.
These feelings will be most painful initially during the acute grief phase.
It’s important to also pay attention to the needs of siblings as they mourn.
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