Episode 10 Is Grief and Loss a Mental Illness?

Keywords

grief, loss, counselling, complicated grief, stages of grief, emotional support, retirement, gender differences, pet loss, healing

Summary

In this episode of Barking Mad, Peter Dowling and Dr. Cathy Owen delve into the multifaceted nature of grief and loss. They explore various types of grief, including the loss of loved ones, complicated grief, and the emotional toll of caring for someone with dementia. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding grief as a natural human experience rather than a psychiatric condition, emphasizing the need for personalized support and counselling. They also discuss the unique challenges of grieving in different contexts, such as retirement and the loss of pets, and touch on gender differences in the grieving process. Overall, the episode provides valuable insights into navigating the complexities of grief and finding ways to heal.

takeaways

• Grief is a natural response to loss and love.

• There are different types of grief, including expected and sudden loss.

• Complicated grief can lead to chronic depression and requires support.

• Time does not have a fixed healing period; it varies for everyone.

• Counselling and support groups can be beneficial for those grieving.

• Retirement can trigger feelings of loss and grief.

• Men and women may grieve differently, with varying timelines.

• Grief is not a psychiatric condition but a human experience.

• The loss of pets is often overlooked in discussions about grief.

• Personalized support is crucial in the grieving process.

Sound Bites

• "Grief is the price of love."

• "Grief is not a psychiatric condition."

• "Retirement can be a form of grief."

Chapters

00:00Understanding Grief and Loss

03:54The Stages of Grief: A Historical Perspective

10:06Complicated Grief: When Loss Becomes Overwhelming

17:06The Role of Counselling in Grief Recovery

17:55Retirement: An Overlooked Grief Experience

18:39Gender Differences in Grieving

24:39Medication and Grief: When Is It Necessary?

26:29Grieving the Loss of Pets

27:39Conclusion and Support Resources

Questions

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Resources

Feeling out of sorts? Here are some quality mental health resources:

Lifeline 131114 or online here https://www.lifeline.org.au/crisis-chat/

Beyond Blue https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

E-Couch https://ecouch.com.au/

Relationships Australia https://relationships.org.au/

1800Respect 1800737732 or https://www.1800respect.org.au/

National Alcohol and Other Drugs Hotline [phone]

Headspace for 12-25 https://www.headspace.com/articles/how-to-improve-self-esteem

Kids Helpline for 5-25 https://kidshelpline.com.au/