Psychotherapy | 8 min read | 2024-08-20 | 187 Views
The Benefits of Mental Health Support Following the Death of a Loved One
Highlights how professional help can aid in coping with grief and emotional challenges after losing someone close.
The death of a loved one is one of life's most challenging experiences, often triggering a cascade of emotional responses. Grief, while a natural reaction, can evolve into more severe mental health issues if not properly addressed. A study found that around 10% to 20% of people develop chronic complaints after the natural death of a significant other such as depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder and/or disturbed grief reactions (Lenferink et al., 2018). Mental health support provides many benefits that help in aiding individuals through the grieving process through various forms of therapy, coping mechanisms and social connection.
Alleviating Complicated Grief
Complicated grief is a prolonged and intense form of grief that can hinder an individual's ability to function. Individuals experiencing complicated grief often find themselves trapped in a relentless cycle of intense yearning and longing, which becomes the central focus of their lives. This is typically accompanied by deep sadness, frustration, and anxiety. These individuals may view their grief as overwhelming, shameful, and abnormal, feeling as though their lives are over and that the excruciating pain they endure will never subside (Zisook & Shear, 2009). Studies have shown that complicated grief therapy helps to not only improve individuals' complicated grief conditions but also enhance their emotional processing abilities (Pinheiro et al., 2021). This therapy focuses on helping individuals accept the reality of the loss, develop a new relationship with the deceased, and rebuild their lives. Such specialized interventions can prevent grief from becoming a chronic, debilitating condition.
Reducing Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety
Grief often coexists with depression and anxiety. A study found that bereaved individuals who received cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) specifically for grief experienced a decrease in depressive and anxiety symptoms compared to those who did not receive such support (Breen et al., 2023). CBT helps individuals reframe negative thoughts and develop coping strategies, providing a structured approach to manage their emotional responses during bereavement. This is extremely helpful due to the emotional dysregulation that occurs during the grieving process and can help individuals restructure their thoughts and emotions to lead them down the path of healing.
Enhancing Coping Mechanisms
Pain is an inherent part of life. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a behavioral approach that aims to alter how individuals relate to and experience pain. ACT transforms one's interaction with internal experiences such as thoughts, emotions, sensations, and memories, helping them be seen as a normal part of the human condition and not negatively. Through mindfulness and acceptance, along with commitment and behavior modification, ACT helps individuals foster a relationship with themselves and others that is open, conscious, and engaged, thus initiating the healing process (APA PsycNet, 2023). Cognitive behavioral therapy is also helpful in shifting individuals' perspectives on the death of their loved one and, in turn, the level of responsibility they endorse in the death, leading to healthier coping (Morris et al., 2020). Developing effective coping mechanisms is crucial in navigating the complexities of grief and can be achieved by seeking professional mental health support through various forms of therapy following the death of a loved one.
Promoting Physical Health
Grief can cause many psychological and physiological problems and greatly affect an individual's well-being. The death of a loved one causes many psychological issues such as impaired sleep, loneliness, and disruption to daily routines, which have all been individually associated with affecting an individual's health. For instance, poor sleep quality has been associated with dysregulation of cortisol awakening responses. Additionally, loneliness has been correlated with increased cardiovascular activation, increased risk of mortality and morbidity, greater use of healthcare institutions, and cortisol dysregulation (Hopf et al., 2020). Seeking mental health support after a loss is crucial as it can manifest into issues that affect a person's physiological health. A study found that those who attended a bereavement support group experienced significantly lower cortisol levels six months after the support group compared to a control group that attended a standard support group (Hopf et al., 2020). This suggests that the bereavement support group had a positive effect on the individuals' mental health, thereby improving their physical health. It is important to attend specialized support groups that best fit the individual's needs to gain the most benefit.
Fostering Social Connections
Isolation is a common response to grief, yet social support is a crucial element of healing. A study on grieving individuals' satisfaction with social support found that 50% of people found good social support from support groups, colleagues, family, therapists, animals, and friends (Cacciatore et al., 2021). These settings provide a sense of community and understanding, helping individuals feel less alone in their grief. Sharing experiences with others undergoing similar challenges can provide comfort, reduce feelings of isolation, and encourage the expression of grief in a supportive environment. The study also showed a high satisfaction rate with the support individuals received from animals (Cacciatore et al., 2021). It is important to note that social connectedness is not only about the amount of contact individuals have with their support systems but also the quality of the support they provide. This includes holding space for the griever, listening, providing a judgment-free and safe space, sharing memories, and not imposing a time limit on grief (Cacciatore et al., 2021). It is essential to provide the best support possible for grieving individuals, as they are going through an extremely difficult time in their lives, by offering the quantity and quality of support that best suits their needs.
Conclusion
The death of a loved one is an inevitable part of life, but it does not have to lead to enduring emotional turmoil. There has been plenty of research conducted in the past few years that highlights the profound benefits of mental health support during bereavement. From reducing complicated grief and alleviating depression and anxiety to promoting physical health and fostering social connections, mental health interventions play a crucial role in navigating the difficult journey of grief. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness but a proactive step towards healing and rebuilding a meaningful life after loss.
By embracing the available mental health resources, individuals can find the strength and resilience needed to honor their loved ones' memories while continuing to live fulfilling lives.
References
American Psychological Association. (2023). Apa PsycNet. American Psychological Association. https://psycnet.apa.org/buy/2020-56133-010
Breen, L. J., Greene, D., Rees, C. S., Black, A., Cawthorne, M., & Egan, S. J. (2023). A co-designed systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of grief interventions for anxiety and depression in young people. Journal of Affective Disorders, 335, 289–297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2023.05.032
Cacciatore, J., Thieleman, K., Fretts, R., & Jackson, L. B. (2021). What is good grief support? exploring the actors and actions in social support after traumatic grief. PLOS ONE, 16(5). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0252324
Hopf, D., Eckstein, M., Aguilar‐Raab, C., Warth, M., & Ditzen, B. (2020). Neuroendocrine mechanisms of grief and bereavement: A systematic review and implications for future interventions. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 32(8). https://doi.org/10.1111/jne.12887
Lenferink, L. I., Nickerson, A., Keijser, J., Smid, G. E., & Boelen, P. A. (2018). Trajectories of grief, depression, and posttraumatic stress in disaster‐bereaved people. Depression and Anxiety, 37(1), 35–44. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.22850
Morris, S. E., Moment, A., & Thomas, J. deLima. (2020). Caring for bereaved family members during the COVID-19 pandemic: Before and after the death of a patient. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 60(2). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.05.002
Pinheiro, P., Gonçalves, M. M., Nogueira, D., Pereira, R., Basto, I., Alves, D., & Salgado, J. (2021). Emotional processing during the therapy for complicated grief. Psychotherapy Research, 32(5), 678–693. https://doi.org/10.1080/10503307.2021.1985183
ZISOOK, S., & SHEAR, K. (2009). Grief and bereavement: What psychiatrists need to know. World Psychiatry, 8(2), 67–74. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2051-5545.2009.tb00217.x
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