Grief & Bereavement

Grief, Bereavement and Traumatic Grief

What is Grief?

Grief  is a natural response to a deep and significant loss – the death of a loved one,  divorce or a breakup, serious health issues or the loss a home or job. How you or your family cope with the loss is very personal.

What is Bereavement?

Bereavement is the period of grief and mourning after the death of a family member or loved one.  How long your bereavement lasts can depend on many factors, such as how close you were to the person who died, if the person died unexpectedly or after a long illness and how the person died.

Many people also experience grief at the loss of an beloved pet such as their dog or cat.

What is Traumtatic Grief?

Traumatic Grief resulting from the sudden (and severe) loss of a loved one in a traumatic situation (natural or auto accident, transportation disaster, act of terrorism or murder, etc.). Traumatic or complicated grief can involve violent suffering, mutilation, and/or multiple deaths. The symptoms of traumatic grief are similar to those of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), acute stress disorder and major depression which a doctor or mental health professional can access.

What are the Effects of Grief and Bereavement?

Grieving is a normal response to a very painful loss that can include physical, mental and emotional reactions.  Physical responses can include difficulty sleeping or eating, illness or other physical problems.  Mental and emotional responses can include sadness, guilt, anger, anxiety and despair.

Grieving is painful, confusing, difficult and exhausting. It is much more complicated than just the emotional reaction.  Often people experience depression and anxiety and are affected spiritually, physically, psychologically and socially.

Healing from Grief

Grieving may feel unbearable at first and make it very difficult to function. With  the help of support groups and sometimes grief counseling, you can get help coping with your loss.

Looking for New Jersey Grief Support Groups?

When coping with grief, support groups are very helpful because they provide compassion, support, and companionship from people who understand grief and loss and what you are going through. Below are some NJ support groups that might be of help to you. We recommend people coping with cancer or another serious or terminal illness find grief counseling and support through their local hospital support services.

• Susan G. Komen Northern New Jersey Chapter
• Breast Cancer Support here
• Hearts and Crafts Grief Counseling for Children and Adults
• The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ)
• Live beyond cancer – Memorial Sloan Kettering Support Groups
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Online Support Groups

Compassionate Friends can help if you are dealing with the death of a child

Compassionate Friends NJ or a local group here or find more information on Facebook The-Compassionate-Friends USA.

Are you having a rough time dealing with divorce, a break up or separation?

Need help dealing a divorce or breakup? Support groups and/or individual therapy may help. Find a support group that helps women and men after a break-up or divorce here or find a divorce support group here.

We hope this information helps.

Call our office at 973-793-1000 or if it’s easier for you email us if you need grief counseling.

Grief Bereavement and Traumatic Grief