Bereavement Care - A Guide for Adults Supporting Children

Behaviours • Sleep disturbance • Separation difficulties • Irritability • Bed wetting • Social withdrawal • Anti-social behaviour • Avoidance of triggers • Poor school work • Reduced concentration The ways in which children experience grief vary and many of them are common to those of adults. However, other behaviour may not immediately be recognised as expressions of grief. One, some, or all of the following responses are likely to occur in bereaved children: Effects of grief Emotions • Sadness • Anger • Guilt • Disbelief • Denial • Regression • Anxiety

Acute physical signs • Loss of appetite • Appetite gain • Over-sensitivity • Increased vulnerability to illness • Lack of energy • Weakness of muscles • Tightness in chest/throat • Breathlessness • Dryness of mouth • Bowel/bladder problems • Headaches • Fatigue • Uncontrollable crying/ sobbing

• Confusion • Loneliness • Helplessness • Shock • Yearning • Relief • Numbness • Night fears • Depression

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