Bereavement: How to cope with long-term anxiety and depression?

@IreneJ Hello IreneJ, thank you for opening this discussion. I'm sorry to hear you've lost someone close to you. One of the platitudes that people often share is that grief and sadness often diminish with time, but that's not always true, is it? Let me tag some other members who can possibly share some words of advice or support.

Hello everyone, how are you today? Have any of you ever experienced prolonged and profound depression or anxiety after losing someone close to you? Can you share any advice on navigating the grieving process? What has helped you?
@Debra#‍ @SarahWidge‍ @Rozanne‍ @sodowninsurrey‍ @Magpies1‍ @Tigger.co.uk‍ @LauraDavison‍ @Lisam71‍ @Darren1007‍ @ttwiglet‍ @Bonkers‍ @BruisedNotBroken‍ @Lynny27‍ @Nessielally‍ @tonigreen‍ @LauraD‍ @rceebear‍ 

Feel free to share any thoughts or advice here, we're all here to support one another!

Take care,
Courtney

Thankyou Courtney.

After losing my dad 2 years ago, I found it helped me to allow myself to go through my emotions and cry, get angry, look at photos, and just feel the raw pain. It hurt like hell initially but has become gradually easier. My sisters have taken the opposite approach of avoiding everything regarding dad's passing. Each to their own I guess.  

@IreneJ Hi my son died in his sleep 12 years ago and ever since then have been suffering with anxiety and depression. I still find it very sad to look at any photos of him growing up have a memory box which I only feel strong enough to look at. The pain does get a little bit easier as years go on but never leaves me when he died part of me went with him. So had to rebuild myself also in my life now I nobody around me who new my son. Just be kind to yourself  baby steps is the way forward.

How lovely to hear from you but so sorry to hear of your pain and sadness losing your son. I too feel that the best of me went with my lovely husband. Im living with someone but dont feel able to love him as my heart is broken. Its not working but Im so scared to go and live alone. Never have and Im 65 years old! Dreading Christmas as my hearts not in it. I pray for a miracle to help me feel strong again. Very best wishes to you.

Hi Irene, I feel for you very much as it is very difficult being in another relation. ship at our age I am 67. I was 10 years on my own before I met my partner I am with now. Have to say I don't mind being on my own it has been more strange living with someone else. What makes me unhappy is I have no family around me that new my son who died. As my partner never new James so it is hard not having anyone to talk about memories have to just keep it all in my head. Being left with depression and anxiety I know is not easy for another person to live with. Keep praying for that miracle one day you might find that strength to live on your own.

Stay safe and best wishes

Salsamania 

Thankyou so much for your kind comments and good wishes. I hooe you have a good Christmas and hopefully we will all have a better year in 2021. X

Hello Irene  I’m so sorry for your loss and sending you my love ❣️💔. I am trying to get my own mind around how hard grief is and to be honest I don’t think it ever goes away, you just seem to learn to live with it. 🤷🏻‍♀️ My dad has been gone just over two years now and I still get that feeling as if I have been punched in the stomach when I wake and remember all over again how he’s not here.. I was crying at asking today out of  the blue. It still hits that way don’t you think? I’m finding it hard to deal with the people who seem to think “God surely your over it by now?”! Even though it’s Usually well meant but from someone who has not been through the pain of bereavement themselves so doesn’t understand. I just want to remember him and talk about him but I don’t,, feel free to contact me anytime you need to talk or scream! I’m sorry I’m new to this and am not much good at forums but you have my thoughts and deepest condolences. 🙂xxxxxx

I lost my step-father in June 2020; a true gentleman, wonderful Dad and fantastic husband to my Mum for 59 years.  I still think of him daily, and now having my dear Mum in a care home makes it worse. Not being able to share special moments with her whilst she currently has COVID and is grieving at the same time, is extremely difficult but I can only stay strong for her sake.

Hopefully, she'll be on the mend soon and I'll be able to help her through this trying time. 

 hello irene. i lost my father 3 and a half years ago and i know what you are going through. i too miss him like mad and am just recently started to realise he's gone. days dont seem to get any better with depression and anxiety along with my illness, paranoid schizophrenia. a good cry now and then helps along with remembering the the fun times. also talking to someone, like now, with others that understand what your going through. keep working through the pain and dont stay silent like i have been these past years. god bless you.