The Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to offering hope for the difficult times in our lives.

1. The Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to offering hope for the difficult times in our lives. Jennifer Baker-Jones MA LP

2. Goal of Presentation • Deepen understanding of work we do with victims by learning about: • Common grief and trauma reactions, • How our own personal loss history impacts us, • and tips for how to respond to victims experiencing grief and loss.

3. Overview • Define Grief, Personal Loss History, and Common Grief Reactions. • Identify Complicated Grief Reactions • Identify Trauma Reactions • What you can do • Self-Care

4. Grief • An ongoing, personal process of acknowledging the life changing impact of loss. It affects the behavioral, cognitive, emotional, physical and spiritual dimensions of our self. • Cumulative, Disorganized, Fearful, Non-linear, Unique

5. Personal loss history • OBVIOUS LOSSES: • Death of Spouse, Grandparent, Child, Friend, Parent, Pet etc. • Relationship loss, Loss of job • “Hidden” LOSSES: • Fertility, health, self-esteem, trust, safety, community, sense of sexuality, loss of connection with loved ones, self-expression • Times of transition can often be even more hidden and hard to find support for.

6. Personal Losses that impact us • Pet Dreams Community • Safety DependenceFreedom • Self Expression Income Role(s) • Friendship Job Youth • Trust Vocation Self-Esteem • Mother/Father Home Childhood • Family Fertility Friends • Relationships Sexual Function Grandparent(s) • Siblings Marriage Co-worker • HealthPartnerGrandchild(ren) • InfantIndependence Fertility • Career Self Worth Security • Mobility Faith Sexuality

7. Common grief reactions • Behavioral: feeling detached, changes in interests, changes in relationships, changes in productivity, loneliness, short fuse • Cognitive: difficulty concentrating, preoccupation with loss, distracted, lowered self-esteem, confusion • Emotional: changes in mood, panic, fear, sadness, anger, shock, guilt • Physical: changes in appetite, difficulty sleeping, nightmares, stomach aches, headaches, fatigue, increased sickness • Spiritual: change in belief system and values, sense of hopelessness, questioning faith/religion, disconnected from self

8. The Process of grief is.. • Culturally Based • Cumulative • Depriving • Disorganized • Life changing • Overwhelming • Painful • Stressful • Personally Unique

9. Adapted from Lammers Grief Loop Loss Integration Shock Confusion Denial Anger at Self Lowered Self-Esteem Apathy Indifference Loss of Interest Desire to Withdraw & “Give-up” • Crying • Pain • Weakness • Nausea • Loss of • Appetite • Sleep • Disturbances • Other • Physical • Change Detachment Protest • Decreased • Socialization • No New • Friendships • “Bland” • Expression • Absent • Spontaneity Agony Grief Anguish Depression Despair • Continuing • Physical Symptoms • “Urge to Recover” • What Was Lost • Slowed Thinking & Actions

10. Factors affecting loss • Past Experience With Loss - Family of origin responses to death and grief - Losses in childhood, adolescence, or adulthood - Relationship With Loved One • Nature of the relationship • Circumstances Surrounding The Death • Present Influences - Social support - Belief system - Resilience, personality

11. Complicated Grief reactions • Depression • Intense bereavement lasting more than 2 months • Destructive Behavior • Substance Abuse • Eating Disorder • Recurring Flashbacks • Risk taking behavior • Withdrawn • Suicidal Thoughts • Homicidal Thoughts