Pathological Grief In Children
Children are able to understand the concept of death from the age of five. When a loved one passes away, they experience deep sadness and are sometimes unable to express it. Therefore, it is important to know what the symptoms of pathological grief are in children to help them overcome this pain and overcome it in a healthy way.
What is pathological grief in children?
Pathological grief in children occurs when the feeling of sadness lasts longer than normal. This feeling, of course, stems from loss and can last for years if not properly treated by a specialist.
Death is a natural process and grief is part of it. It is important to be vigilant in case the symptoms persist and do not forget that for children it is a process that, in addition to being painful, is confusing.
It is also important to note that, although grief usually occurs when a close person dies, it can also occur due to other situations such as separation from parents.
Grief symptoms
The symptoms of pathological grief in children are very varied and may not always occur all at the same time. It is enough to locate one so that you take the pertinent measures before the situation worsens.
Depression
One of the first symptoms of pathological grief is when the child becomes depressed. He is listless, unwilling to play and socialize. He is sad and cries for any reason, even at times he can become aggressive.
Sleeping problems
Another of the most frequent symptoms is that the child dreams recurrently about the deceased relative. On many occasions you will be afraid and will wake up in the middle of the night. Insomnia is also added to this problem .
Sadness
In practice, sadness is one of the feelings that are most present in children who go through pathological grief. On many occasions, he speaks of the loved one and claims to feel or see their presence in certain places. Anxiety and depression also become the protagonists of this process.
Pathological grief in children: what to do?
It is important to determine how and when to convey information to children and how to handle all the feelings and behaviors that are generated. It is necessary to teach him to handle the loss, accept it, express it, adjust to the environment without the presence of that loved one and, of course, put that loved one back in the pleasant and beautiful memories before the event.
Therapies
To cope with this type of grief, it is useful for both the child and the rest of the family, if necessary, to go to various forms of therapy. This will channel all those feelings that arose after the loss. There are different types of therapy: emotional, behavioral and cognitive, among others.
Patience, understanding and love
It is essential that the family nucleus demonstrate understanding and love for the feelings of others and, especially, of the child. Patience is another key factor. In these cases it is important to follow the recommendations of the therapists to prevent the situation and discouragement from worsening. Control of the situation is essential.
Pathological grief in children is an extremely painful process that must be treated as quickly as possible to avoid future sequelae. Love and understanding are a critical part of coping with it.
