‘Bereavement’ alludes to a type of grief that involves the passing of a loved one. Grief and bereavement are composed of a wide array of emotions such as anger, yearning, sadness, and fear. The process of adapting to such a loss varies from one individual to the next.
The term ‘grief’ refers to the internal part of loss. The process of overcoming grief is an internal process that does not end on a particular date. The loss happens in a moment; however, the aftermath lasts for a lifetime.
Everyone’s grief is distinctive and unique, much like the person we have lost. The pain is intense and heartbreaking, as we reflect on the connection with a loved one that has been lost.
The five stages of grief, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance are a part of the framework that makes up our learning to cope and accept life without the ones we have lost. These tools help us frame and identify what we may be feeling. But it must be noted that these are not stops on some linear timeline in grief. The process of grieving is different for each individual, and not everyone will experience it in the prescribed order. At times, people in grief will often report more stages that have not been covered in the five stages. At the end of the day, grief is as unique as the individual.
Depression and Grief
While the DSM-IV does not classify bereavement as a disorder, however many of the common signs of grief can mimic those of depression.
The following factors can help us differentiate the two:
References
