Bereavement, Mourning, and Grief

I learned in my Grief and Loss class that grief in teens and college students (Adolescents and Adults) Is different from the grief of younger children. As we grow older, we accept the reality of death and that it is a part of life. Below is a description of grief in youth 9 and older from the National Cancer Institute website. The page is entitled, Bereavement, Mourning, and Grief:



Beliefs // Symptoms
Everyone will die. // Heightened emotions, guilt, anger, shame.
Death is final and cannot be changed. // Increased anxiety over own death.
Even I will die. // Fear of rejection; not wanting to be different from peers.
Changes in eating habits.
Sleeping problems.
Regressive behaviors
(loss of interest in outside activities)
Impulsive behaviors.
Mood swings.
Feels guilty about being alive
(especially related to death of a brother, sister, or peer).

It is important to note that experiencing these symptoms of grief are very normal and everyone goes through them and the most healthy way to deal with grief is to address it.

CLick the above title for a link to the website mentioned.