Grief and Lost

Question 1

What are the types of griefs?

Answer 1

1. Normal grief –> you experience a loss, you grief, and at some point you have accepted the loss
2. Anticipatory grief –> hasn’t happened yet but ur anticipating for it before it actually happened
3. Prolonged grief disorder –> longer than 6 months.
4. Disenfranchised grief –> where you feel unsupported (by society) when grieving bc its not “significant” enough. EX: loss of relationship, loss of pets, loss of home, suicide, miscarriage, divorce

Question 2

What are the types of loss?

Answer 2

1. Necessary losses –> life changes that are positive.
   
   • EX: if you found out you have cancer in ur leg & need surgery, so you got surgery to remove the cancer but you do not have a leg anymore. You experience a loss. but the loss is necessary bc if u didn’t get surgery, you might’ve died
2. Maturational losses –> occurs when someone matures
   
   • EX: potty training, going to college, getting a job, losing parents
3. Situational loss–> not predicted; natural disasters, mass injury events
4. Actual/ Perceived loss
   
   • Actual: visible/ can be seen by others (EX: loss of a person, loss of a body part)
   • Perceived: not visible by others. they know only when you tell them (EX: rejection, you are sad bc ur kids don’t visit you anymore)

Question 3

What is Kobler-Ross Five stages of grief?

Answer 3

1. Denial –> avoidance, confusion, shock
2. Anger –> frustration, anxiety
3. Bargaining –> feeling overwhelm, helpless, hostile, bargaining w others trying to make a deal & offering anything to change the reality
4. Depression –> struggling to find meaning, reaching out to others
5. Acceptance –> exploring options, moving on

Question 4

Is Kobler-Ross five stages of grief a cycle/linear stage?

Answer 4

NOOO! IT IS NOT A CYCLE and do not go on a specific order!!

Question 5

What is Dual Process Model of Grief?

Answer 5

Loss Oriented <— —> Restoration Grief

• Everyday you go between grieving and recovering
  (back n forth)

Question 6

What is Warden’s Four (4) tasks of grieving??

Answer 6

1. Accept the reality of the loss
2. Experience the pain of grief
3. Adjust to an environment w/o the deceased
4. Find an enduring connection while embarking on a new life
   
   • EX: putting up pictures of them but also moving on

Question 7

What is Bereavement VS. Mourning?

Answer 7

• Bereavement is a period of time when a person experiences grief
• Mourning is the public expression or how you react/act during the bereavement period

Question 8

What are individual experiences of loss & death?

Answer 8

• Manifestations/symptoms: crying, sleep deprivation, eating changes, etc
• Causes: reflecting on past circumstances
• Losing a family member
• Loss due to suicide
• Loss of a pet

Question 9

What are factors affecting grief?

Answer 9

• Circumstances (sudden vs. expected)
  
  • When there’s a sudden loss, it’s less expected & more challenging for somebody to grasp the lost than someone who have already expected it to come and have more time to prepare mentally
• Age (young vs. old)
  
  • Those who are older have more experiences w/ loss & have developed strategies to deal with the loss than someone who are younger
• Customs, religious, or spiritual beliefs –> may bring comfort/distress
• Prior experiences w/ loss
• Unresolved issues w/ the deceased

Question 10

What are Individual responses to grief & loss?

Answer 10

• Age related considerations
• Cultural influences on grief (each cultures have diff. rituals)
• Spiritual influences on grief (supports from faith community, and also a belief in what’s next after death can be a source of comfort)

Question 11

What should you do when assisting patients & families experiencing grief and loss?

Answer 11

NURSE acronym
Name (identify what the person stated)
Understand (recognize their feelings)
Respect (for what the person is experiencing)
Support (for what the person is experiencing)
Explore (ask open-ended questions)