GRIEF IN CHILDREN ACCUMULATED KNOWLEDGE

GRIEF IN CHILDREN ACCUMULATED KNOWLEDGE

The loss will be with the child throughout life

•The child’s perception of the loss changes with increasing age and maturity

•Children return to their loss over time and are dependent upon adults’ continued support and conversations

•Children can fear they will forget their loved one

Most children cope well

•Bereaved children with caring, knowledgeable adults by their side are able to continue life without major psychic disturbance

•However, they continue to process the loss and long for the lost person

•Adverse circumstances in relation to the death (exposure, fantasies), lack of social support, inadequate caring, etc. can lead to more serious consequences
•         Better understanding of what traumatic and complicated grief is
•         When a child is exposed to the drama surrounding the death, traumatic after-effects can in themselves be a problem in addition to grief

•         Clinical experience tell us that fantasies can have the same effect

•         It is difficult to approach good memories when traumatic memories or fantasies are activated at the same time

•         Important to be aware that children seldom tell about such difficulties spontaneously – we have to ask

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