6 Risk Factors that Contribute to Complicated Grief

Caregiver in Clark County VA

Most of the time you can’t know how your loved one is going to react to a loss. In the case of a condition called complicated grief, however, there are some warning signs that can alert you to the Caregiver-in-Clark-County-VAfact that your loved one might have more difficulty dealing with large losses than the average person might. If one or more of these risk factors pertain to your loved one, you may need additional help when he’s going through the stages of grief.

An Unexpected or Sudden Loss

When the loss that your loved one experiences is sudden, unexpected, or sometimes even violent, this can contribute greatly to developing complicated grief. Your loved one doesn’t have time to prepare for these types of losses, so the process can take much longer and be much more difficult.

Loss of a Child or Grandchild

No one is ever prepared for the loss of a young person, especially if that person is a child or grandchild of your loved one. Keep in mind that these may also be adult children or grandchildren. To your loved one, however, they were never meant to pass away first.

Loss of a Family Caregiver

When your loved one is dependent upon a caregiver, the loss of that caregiver can be a devastating blow. Your loved one might also experience deeper grief if a senior care provider with whom he has become close is lost. People who provide care to your loved one become important to him.

History of Depression

If your loved one has a history of chronic depression, this can contribute to a deeper, more complicated grief after a loss. Your loved one’s previous treatments for depression may be able to help during this time, but it’s important to work with his doctor or his mental health provider as well.

Trauma During Childhood

Traumatic experiences during childhood affect people far into their lives. In the case of complicated grief, feelings of abandonment or loss from childhood can resurface after a loss later in life, making the grief much more difficult to process.

Inability to Adapt in General

When your loved one has a difficult time adapting in general to life changes, this can mean that a loss may cause complicated grief. Processing grief means that your loved one has to adapt to the loss, accept it, and begin moving on. Having few or no adaptation skills makes the entire process of guilt so much more difficult for your loved one.

If your loved one is dealing with complicated grief, talk to his medical team to work out a treatment plan.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring a professional caregiver in Clark County, VA, please contact the caring staff at LivinRite Home Care. Call Us Today at (703) 369-6677. Serving Northern Virginia, The Valley, and Surrounding Communities

Source
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/complicated-grief/basics/definition/CON-20032765

http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/chronic-depression-dysthymia

Julie McCormick, Co-Owner