{"id":5502,"date":"2020-10-07T00:58:12","date_gmt":"2020-10-07T00:58:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/griefjourney.com\/?page_id=5502"},"modified":"2020-10-22T00:18:40","modified_gmt":"2020-10-22T00:18:40","slug":"surviving-a-suicide","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/griefjourney.com\/article-library\/surviving-a-suicide\/","title":{"rendered":"Surviving a Suicide"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Articles: Grief Process<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Surviving a Suicide\n<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Facing the Reality:<\/p>

The suicide of anyone of any age presents unique circumstances that intensify and prolong the mourning of family members and friends. Suicide is usually an attempt by someone to end their pain, and is often a reaction to overwhelming feelings of loneliness, worthlessness, helplessness, hopelessness, and depression. It usually occurs when a person\u2019s pain exceeds their resources and ability to cope.<\/p>

The statistics are frightening. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 10-14 year-olds, the third leading cause among 15-24 year-olds, and the second leading cause among 25-34 year-olds. While mental illness plays a role in many suicides, not everyone who dies by suicide is mentally ill. Many families endure the frustration caused by their family member child requiring years of hospitalizations and medications. Other families encounter only brief periods of conflict or worry, while some experience none at all.<\/p>

Sometimes there are warning signs of the person\u2019s intentions. However, clues may be so disguised that even a trained professional or counselor may not recognize them. Occasionally there are no discernible signs, and the child\u2019s suicide becomes a catastrophic impulsive decision that can never be understood or resolved.<\/p>

One change now occurring is in the language of suicide. The terms \u201cdied by suicide,\u201d \u201cdied from suicide,\u201d and \u201cdied of suicide\u201d are being adopted rather than the harsh \u201ccommitted suicide,\u201d the language of an earlier era that carries a stigma of criminality so often offensive to families whose children have taken their own lives.<\/p>

Owning our Reactions:<\/p>

We know that denial, feelings of shock, guilt, anger, and depression are often a normal part of every grief process. But these emotions are especially heightened when someone has died by suicide. And , while it is difficult to acknowledge and to accept, it is not unusual to experience feelings of relief if the relationship with the person was stressful or destructive to the family unit or community.<\/p>

You may experience many other emotions, such as lack of energy, sleep problems, inability to concentrate, not wanting to talk with others, and the feeling there is nothing to live for are all normal reactions in bereavement. Try to look after yourself with moderate physical activity, plenty of rest, and a good diet. Allow family and friends to take care of you. You don\u2019t have to be strong. Maintain contact with persons you value.<\/p>

A suicide often raises many painful questions, doubts, and fears. The knowledge that your love alone was not enough to save the person and the fear that others will judge you to be an unfit parent\/unloving spouse etc. may raise powerful feelings of failure or shame. Realize that if someone makes up their mind to take their own life, there is nothing we can do to stop them \u2026 as much as we might like to think there may be. Persuade yourself that you gave what you could and what that person did with that was primarily their decision.<\/p>

It isn\u2019t uncommon for newly bereaved people to express thoughts of suicide themselves, regardless of how their loved one has died. We wonder how we can go on. We harbor fantasies of being reunited with the person. Such feelings are natural, although that must never diminish the importance of paying attention to them. Such feelings are best talked out with a supportive counselor or friend. Remember that suicide is not inherited. Be patient with yourself and your family, and seek professional help and family counseling if necessary.<\/p>

The stigma often associated with suicide is the result of cultural and religious interpretations of an earlier day. You will find it difficult to progress in your bereavement unless you confront the word suicide<\/em>, difficult as it may be. Keeping the cause of death a secret will deprive you of the joy of speaking about the person and may isolate you from family and friends who want to support you. It takes a lot of energy to sustain the secret \u2026 strength which you may feel you simply don\u2019t have as yopu cope with your loss. As someone once said, \u201cYou are only as sick as your secrets.\u201d Rather than focusing on the stigma surrounding suicide, try to concentrate on your own healing and survival.<\/p>

Expressing Anger and Guilt:<\/p>

While there are many emotions that follow a loss, survivors of suicide most often experience excessive anger and guilt<\/p>

Certainly you may feel anger, and you have every right to do so. It may be directed at many different things: at the person themselves for leaving you, or for not giving you an opportunity to help; at those you believe failed to help; at God; at those who try to help you; or at others who have NOT experienced this awful fate; or even angry at the world in general. You may be angry with yourself because you were unable to save your child, which every parent would want to do..<\/p>

It\u2019s OK to express anger. Sometimes healing cannot begin until this anger is confronted and expressed. However, a healthy expression of anger does not include hurting yourself or others. You have every right to protest the \u201cWhy\u201d of what has happened, but you should be careful not to take that anger out on the wrong people, or those who possibly least deserve to be targets of your wrath. You are angry because you have been left, and because there is nothing you can do now to change the situation. You have every right to feel that, so focus on how you can come to terms with it.<\/p>

Feelings of guilt following a suicide are normal\u2014for parents and family, friends, classmates, and even coworkers. But again, saying it is \u201cnormal\u201d must never minimize its intensity, and indeed it\u2019s dangers. \u201cIf only\u201d is a phrase you may find yourself repeating frequently. You may need to feel guilty for a while until you begin to understand that you are not ultimately responsible for the decisions and actions of another human being, including this loved one. Sometimes you need to go through a feeling to get beyond it. Believe in yourself. Forgive yourself, for after all, you are human, so accept your human limitations to control destiny.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>

Searching for Meaning:<\/p>

As we try to process this nightmare, we may feel a need to ask \u201cwhy?\u201d Often, of course, there are no clear answers. This is often the most frustrating part of the entire situation for friends and other family members. But, after some time you may reach a point where you begin to realize that there are some questions about the death of this person that may never be answered. As Harold Kushner says in his book \u201cWhen Bad Things Happen to Good People\u201d, \u201cWhy is not a question. It is a cry of pain!\u201d<\/em> You have every right to protest the Why of your loved one\u2019s death.<\/p>

Talking with others who have been through a similar situation may help you to cope. You may even learn from them that it is okay to laugh and smile, even though this seems impossible now. If the depression does not appear to lessen over time, you may want to talk with a qualified professional who can determine how best to help you.<\/p>

Coping Constructively:\u00a0<\/em><\/p>

  • Talk about the death with one another as a family or community; discuss your loss and your pain. Talk about the good times you remember, as well as those times that were not so good. All family members will be grieving in their own manner, so don\u2019t criticize anyone because of these differences. Remember that crying is healthy and therapeutic and that it is better to express feelings than to internalize them.<\/li>
  • You may find it helpful to write out your feelings or to write a letter to your dead friend, expressing all the things you were not able to say before the death. Express your anger and frustration too if these are how you feel. For many, this is a good way to say good-bye.<\/li>
  • Allow friends to help. When they ask what they can do for you, don\u2019t be afraid to tell them of your needs and what will help you. It will also help them.<\/li>
  • Consider becoming involved with a bereavement group. Some community groups are specifically structured for survivors of suicide, and it can be helpful to relate to people who have had a similar experience to your own. Through sharing with others who have walked the same path, you may gain some understanding of your reactions and learn ways to cope. Seek professional help and family counseling if necessary.<\/li>
  • Give yourself time, time, and more time. It takes months, even years, to open your heart and mind to healing. Choose to survive and then be patient with yourself. In time, your grief will soften as you begin to heal, and you will feel like investing in life again.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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