Normal and complicated grief

Question 1

What are strategies for responding to and facilitating grief?

Answer 1

Acknowledge loss
Validate feelings
Talk about the person
Provide treatment options only if they seem interested

-never tell them to “get over it”, or minimize the loss

Question 2

What are differences between normal and complicated grief?

Answer 2

Normal grief:

• is intense only for 6-12 months, then gets better
• patient will eventually able to reflect on their loved one without crying
• Sleep/appetite/energy loss are common, but not persistent
• Depression symptoms are not global and will resolve

Complicated grief:
lasts for longer than 12 months
never really gets better (still sobbing at the slightest mention)
accompanied by symptoms of depression (anhedonia, suicidality, intense hallucinations, worthlessness)

Question 3

What symptoms do grief and depression have in common?

Answer 3

loss of:

1. sleep
2. appetite
3. energy

Also may have anhedonia

Question 4

What are the differences between depression and grief?

Answer 4

Anhedonia is not constant in grief like in depression
Worthlessness/guilt not global in grief
depression has suicidality -grief does not

Question 5

What are three major components to respond to complicated grief?

Answer 5

Assess for depression and substance abuse
Refer to community help / therapist
Discourage avoidance of thoughts of person or throwing away their things