Bereavement 

Bereavement can look exactly like Depression, characterized by sadness, lack of energy, and sometimes even a wish to die, and people who don’t understand the distinction often want to “treat” Bereavement with anti-depressant medication. In most instances, medication is not only unnecessary, it can actually interfere with the normal process of working through and resolving grief.

Depression is caused by a person’s biochemical make-up, genetics, or negative life circumstances (please click the link to Depression for more on this.). Bereavement, however, is a totally normal response to the loss of someone or something, be it a family member, a relationship, a job, a home, a beloved pet, or an ability, that has been important to us. In addition to the symptoms listed above, there is usually anger, confusion, and feelings of helplessness. It can be even more complicated if the death was sudden, violent, self-inflicted, of someone young, or of more than one person. In any event, healing takes time, and it cannot be rushed. Only a professional who thoroughly understands Bereavement can assess whether the bereaved person needs anti-depressant medication in order to function and survive. In the meantime, expressing the mixed feelings that are part of Bereavement to one who understands can be of enormous help and support in moving through the healing process.

If you could use some support with Bereavement, call Samantha (508-207-7149) to set up an introductory appointment. Then you can decide where to go from there.