Bereavement is a profound, often life-changing experience that follows the loss of someone we hold dear. It's a universal and intensely personal journey that doesn't follow a set timeline or a uniform set of symptoms. Instead, it encompasses a wide range of emotional responses that vary significantly from one person to the next.

While closely related to grief, which is the emotional suffering felt after a loss, bereavement includes both the experience of losing a loved one and the process of adapting to life without them.

What Bereavement Looks Like

Recognising bereavement isn't always straightforward, as it manifests uniquely in each individual. However, there are common signs that can indicate someone is going through the bereavement process. These signs can be emotional, physical, and behavioural, and understanding them can help in offering support or seeking help.

Emotional Signs:

• Intense sadness : Feelings of emptiness, despair, yearning, or loneliness.
• Anger : Towards the situation, themselves, the person who has passed, or even those trying to offer support.
• Guilt : Over things done or not done, or feeling that they could have prevented the loss.
• Anxiety and fear : About living without the person, about their own mortality, or about taking care of remaining family.

Physical Signs:

• Changes in sleeping patterns : Difficulty falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much.
• Altered eating habits : Loss of appetite or eating more than usual.
• Physical aches and pains : Such as headaches, stomachaches, or othersomatic symptoms without a clear physical cause.

Behavioural Signs:

• Withdrawal from social activities : Preferring to be alone, avoiding friends or family.
• Neglecting personal care : Ignoring personal hygiene, nutrition, or health.
• Lack of interest in life : Losing interest in hobbies, work, or activities previously enjoyed.

Navigating Through Bereavement

Bereavement is a process, not a state to be fixed. It's about finding ways to live with the loss and gradually integrating it into one's life. Here are a few considerations for those navigating their way through bereavement :

• Allow yourself to feel : Bereavement involves a wide range of emotions. It's okay to feel them all.
• Seek support : Whether from friends, family, support groups, or professional counselling, sharing your feelings can be incredibly therapeutic.
• Take care of yourself : It's easy to neglect personal care during this time. Try to maintain routines that support your physical health and mental well-being.
• Be patient : There's no timeline for healing from a loss. Give yourself the grace to grieve at your own pace.