Common Grief Reactions Following A Suicide May Include
- difficulty in thinking clearly about tasks
- becoming forgetful
- anger
- guilt
- tearfulness
- a sense of unreality
- numbness
- regret
- intense sadness
- a sense of helplessness
- feelings of being rejected by your loved one
- difficulty in sleeping
- loss of appetite
- loneliness as time moves on
- fear of losing other loved ones
- a roller coaster of emotions
- physical and emotional exhaustion
- being more likely to pick up infections eg. colds/flu
- a change in sexual interest (an increase/decrease) Family and friends who have experienced their loved one making repeated suicide attempts may have a feeling of relief that ‘at least now it is over and the person is at rest’, and feel guilty about this. These are normal reactions to what you have experienced.
Anniversaries, birthdays, Christmas, Mother’s/Father’s day, other special occasions, can be difficult days. Allow yourself time on these days to think and talk about your loved one. It may help to plan ahead of time what you will do on that day. The lead up to these days is often the worst time.
Be patient with yourself and with others who may not understand.
[1] Clark, S. (1995). After Suicide: Help for the Bereaved. Melbourne, Australia: Hill of Content.
