Is Someone You Know Grieving?
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If There's Anything I Can Do
Watching Someone Grieving and Not Knowing What to Do is a Helpless Feeling
When someone you know and love goes through the grieving process it is only natural that you want to help them through this terrible time. Unless you have been there yourself you really do not know what they are experiencing or how they feel.
You want to help but you are afraid you will say or do the wrong thing; you just don't know how to help. Often times people say "If there's anything I can do" but they do nothing to back it up. It is usually a polite way of ending the contact and removing yourself from the situation.
Good intentions are there but good intentions do nothing to help unless you follow through with really meaning it when you say "If there's anything I can do."
Grief cannot be taken away. It is a process that they have to go through on their own but there are ways that you can help them through this time to make it a little bit more bearable for them.
Sometimes even the smallest little gesture such as a hug or helping around the house will take some of the burden off of the bereaved that you want to help so much and take away their pain.
Unfortunately the one trying to cope with grief often realize that people start to disappear, stop calling or stop coming over because they do not know how to deal with death themselves; so how can they help the bereaved? This is the worst thing that can be done. A grieving person needs support from family and friends even more so at this time.
If There's Anything I Can Do is a book written especially to show you how to help a bereaved person.
When someone you know and love goes through the grieving process it is only natural that you want to help them through this terrible time. Unless you have been there yourself you really do not know what they are experiencing or how they feel.
You want to help but you are afraid you will say or do the wrong thing; you just don't know how to help. Often times people say "If there's anything I can do" but they do nothing to back it up. It is usually a polite way of ending the contact and removing yourself from the situation.
Good intentions are there but good intentions do nothing to help unless you follow through with really meaning it when you say "If there's anything I can do."
Grief cannot be taken away. It is a process that they have to go through on their own but there are ways that you can help them through this time to make it a little bit more bearable for them.
Sometimes even the smallest little gesture such as a hug or helping around the house will take some of the burden off of the bereaved that you want to help so much and take away their pain.
Unfortunately the one trying to cope with grief often realize that people start to disappear, stop calling or stop coming over because they do not know how to deal with death themselves; so how can they help the bereaved? This is the worst thing that can be done. A grieving person needs support from family and friends even more so at this time.
If There's Anything I Can Do is a book written especially to show you how to help a bereaved person.
Know How To Give Grief Support When It's Needed
It may not seem practical during everyday life to think of purchasing a book like this, but there are times it will be of great use and information for you to know how to help a bereaved relative or friend. While it is a difficult subject to deal with for all involved this book will tell you how to help and give you the confidence to offer assistance without the worry of wondering if you are saying or doing something wrong.This book includes comments from people who have gone through the grieving process and they express how they felt and what helped them during those difficult times after the death of a loved one. It would be valuable and rewarding to already know without hesitation how to help someone in their time of need and know exactly what little things to say to do that can mean so much to support them in their time of grief.
You may think you cannot make any difference but you can. You cannot bring back the one person they are longing for but you can be there for them in the months, weeks and years afterward.
Be There Just To Listen To Them Talk
Although written from the viewpoint of someone losing a spouse, there are many points and contributions from others who have lost children, siblings, parents, grandparents, other relatives or friends.Reference in the book are suggestions like:
* Shopping or cooking.
* How to just sit and listen to them talk if they need to and basically just be there for them.
* Their house and/or garden may need tending to.
* Do they have children that you can offer to help look after?
* At a time like this there are always lots of phone calls and paperwork to do; offer to help.
* Offer to get them out of the house for a while; even a walk around the block will mean a lot to them.
Any effort you make to give support will be greatly appreciated and remembered.
How To Deal With Their Grief
Just Be There!
Grief and Depression - Know The Difference
A grief-stricken person will undoubtedly at some time go through a period of depression. You as a caring relative or friend also need to watch out for signs of situational depression or deep-seated depression or suicidal tendencies.Situational Depression, versus Clinical Depression
The paragraph below is from Christianet.com
"Depression is a broad term that is used to describe moods that range from feeling down to suicidal thoughts. There is situational depression and there is clinical depression and both states can also have a range of severity.
The factors that seem to determine the degree of severity for each are based on a combination of genetics, psychological states, physical chemistry, and environment contributions.
Those who have a family history of mental disorders coupled with any of the other contributing factors will be more likely to experience moderate to severe episodes when an event triggers emotions. When there is a low self esteem, matters can become worse."
If it seems that the bereaved is suffering from more than situational depression, intervene and get help for them.
Suicide Hotlines.com
Books on Grief and Depression
If There's Anything I Can Do
Easy To Follow Table of Contents
If There's Anything I Can Do* Created with ease and speed of navigation in mind
* It's easy to navigate the table of contents: just click on the title and go straight to the section you require
* Clear layout, with lots of bullet points and bold print to help you read quickly
* 105 pages long, with clear instructions on how to print individual pages
* Easy to either print out or read on your computer screen
Grief Support Information
- Grief - Life During and After
- As I go through this journey called "grief", it occurred to me that maybe I could help others in this life altering journey.
- Face Your Fear of Death to Give Comfort
- Some people tend to shy away from a grieving person just for this reason. You don't know how to deal with it or you don't want to deal with it; so you don't. The grieving person is the one that needs your comfort and support at this time more than ever.
- A Grieving Person Doesn't Want to Be Alone All of the Time
- Comforting a grieving person is hard but not nearly as hard as the one who is grieving. You don't know what to say, what to do or how to help. You think the grieving person wants to be alone and in some cases they do at times but not completely abandoned all together.
- Stupid Things People Say in Times of Grief
- If you are grieving over a spouse as I am or maybe some other close family member or friend, there will always be "well-meaning" people who will try to comfort you and say absolutely the most "stupid thing" or the"wrong thing."
Sometimes the person has not experienced what you are going through and have no idea of what they are saying is hurtful or just plain "stupid." - Journal Writing For Grief and Loss
- After suffering the loss of a loved one we tend to have many, many thoughts, numerous things to do and take care of and it can be an emotional overload to deal with it all at one time. Journaling provides an outlet to release those thoughts, feelings, emotions, anger, plans or things you need to do to and to relieve the stress of it all and get it out of your mind if only for a short time.
- Reflections - Life is Too Short
- Think before you say or react to something, for one day your loved one may not be there. Another saying we are all familiar with is "pick your battles wisely".
- How To Go On After Your Spouse Dies
- After the death of a spouse you of course are in shock, disbelief and numbness. There is a "fog" that seems to set in which is natures way of protecting you from the pain you are suffering. The fog lifts gradually over time and reality starts to set in.
- How to Write a Eulogy When You Cant Find the Words
- Sitting down with a piece of paper or computer you find yourself sitting there staring at a blank page or a blank screen. You want everyone to know how special this person was, the influence he or she made in your life and maybe share some of the good times you spent with each other.
Outside Support Group
Journey From Mourning to Joy
If the bereaved needs more help than you can give them, contact GriefShare.org
- GriefShare - Grief Recovery Support Groups
- GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life's most difficult experiences. You don't have to go through the grieving process alone.
There are thousands of GriefShare grief recovery support groups meeting throughout the US, Canada and in over 10 other countries. There's one meeting near you!
How Have You Helped Someone Deal With Their Grief?
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AppalachianCountry
May 14, 2009 @ 8:10 am | delete
- Great lens. This book is so needed. We've been on both sides of the situation. Thank-you for the info about the book.
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by Mellithorpe
As a recent widow myself, I saw many of my friends and family struggling with trying to help me get through my grief.
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