There are two things that are an absolute surety that comes with being human: our own death and the inevitability of experiencing loss of some form or the other. Each and every one of us, at some point, will experience the loss of someone that we care deeply about.
Bereavement trauma is what comes after this loss, and it’s a path that no one would willingly choose to walk along. People who are going through traumatic grief will go on a journey of emotional upheaval and often significant physical and mental changes along the way.
In this blog, we’re going to take a closer look at bereavement grief and how a traumatic loss can impact a person. We’ll also examine some traumatic grief symptoms and what people might feel during their grieving process.
What is Bereavement Trauma?
Losing someone that we love can be emotionally devastating, whether that’s a partner, parent, child, or friend. Grief and bereavement are traumatic, and when we go through a traumatic experience, our bodies and our emotions begin to feel overwhelmed. This can lead to what is known as “emotional dysregulation.”
This is also referred to as our fight or flight mechanism. This mechanism can have debilitating effects when it is activated and will often overrun our sympathetic nervous system. Which, in turn, will lead to us experiencing feelings of fear, terror, and crippling anxiety. When we are going through bereavement trauma, this reaction can cause us to shut down, disassociate, and feel as if there is no hope in the world.
If this kind of trauma is managed and unpacked, it can cause problems in our everyday lives. It can distort our fundamental view of ourselves and others and more. Physically, blood pressure will increase, heart rate is high, and our rational ability will become incapacitated.
Different types of grief
One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to grief and bereavement, and there are actually a number of different types of grief.
- Anticipatory grief: This is something that we feel when we know that someone we care about is going to die. This could be as a result of a terminal illness or age. This type of grief can lead to depression, anger, sadness and anxiety about the future. It also helps us to prepare for the loss in some sense, which can help going forward.
- Traumatic grief: These are the feelings that we experience when we lose someone suddenly, usually in a traumatic way. This could be something like a car accident or natural disaster. This often leaves us in a state of shock and heightened hypervigilance.
- Disenfranchised grief: This is when we lose someone we are not able to mourn publicly. This is usually a result of a relationship not being accepted or validated, such as an LQBTQ+ couple in a conservative family. It means that others might consider your loss trivial and not offer the support you need.
How Long Does Bereavement Trauma Last?
Unfortunately, there is no time limit on grief. There is also no such thing as “time heals all wounds.” Grieving varies from person to person, and how long you suffer from bereavement trauma will depend on a number of factors.
It’s essential that you don’t put a timeline on grief; it cannot be predicted. Getting help from a qualified bereavement counselor or reaching out for professional help from someone who specializes in trauma is the best way to begin healing.
However, I believe that bereavement trauma forms a huge part of who we are after the event. There is no way to simply “get over it”. Instead, we must pivot the way we view bereavement and grief and use it to empower our daily lives. We can use these emotions to find purpose and meaning from beneath the shadows. Learning to embrace the process and living alongside your loss will allow you to regain your footing and look at life with completely new eyes.
The Most Common Emotions During Bereavement Trauma
People all grieve in different ways and will experience bereavement in their own personal manner. That being said, there are some emotions that are felt by most people experiencing bereavement trauma:
- Sadness or depression
- Numbness, denial or disbelief
- Confusion
- Anxiety and panic
- Anger
- Relief
- Feeling overwhelmed
Physical and Behavioural Changes During Bereavement Trauma
Your body is also affected when you experience a loss. These are some of the more common physical experiences that people may be affected by:
- Insomnia
- Appetite changes
- Health problems
- Hypervigilance
- Shakiness and trembling
- Nausea
- Breathing difficulties
Heal Your Bereavement Trauma With Naked Bereavement
At Naked Bereavement, we invite you on a journey of healing. Your loss will be greeted with compassion and understanding, and we will help you through a process of personal growth and development that will heal you in the most complete and lasting way possible.
Contact us to find out more about how we can help you on the path of processing bereavement trauma and thriving on the other side through the Naked Bereavement Program.
