Has an unexpected death led you to experience complicated grief?

People grieve in different ways. The ways in which a person’s grief may affect him or her could depend on the factors relating to a loved one’s passing. For example, some people may be better able to handle the grief of an expected death but find that dealing with an unexpected passing is much harder. In fact, you may be struggling to handle your feelings after the recent and sudden demise of a close family member.

Though you already knew that numerous people are killed in car accidents every year, you may have never anticipated it happening to your loved one. When you learned the news that another driver had caused a fatal crash that claimed your loved one’s life, you undoubtedly felt shock and disbelief. Now, you are still struggling to accept the situation.

Complicated grief

You may be one of many people who experiences complicated grief after the passing of a loved one. This type of emotional difficulty typically occurs when a person’s grief continues for an extended period of time without showing signs of improvement. This issue may affect you if any of the following signs seem familiar:

• Blaming yourself for your loved one’s death
• Feeling unable to accept his or her passing
• Continued feelings of numbness regarding the situation
• Feelings of emptiness
• Loss of joy over your good memories with the person
• Losing a sense of purpose or identity as a result of your loss
• Feeling alone, detached and distrustful
• Continued longing for your loved one

Of course, other symptoms could also point to complicated grief, and as you can tell, these symptoms have a close connection to depression. As a result, you may be unable to live your life as normally as you once did.

Family changes

The loss of your loved one may have also presented the need for changes in the family dynamic. For example, if the person was the one who generated an income for the family, you may have found yourself struggling financially and needing to find work. However, your grief may have prevented you from doing so. As a result, you may feel stuck in an endless cycle of stress, depression and anxiety.

What can you do?

It may be wise to consider seeking professional help for your emotional turmoil after your loss. Therapy can often help struggling individuals regain focus and find ways to cope. When it comes to your financial concerns, you may want to consider filing a wrongful death claim against the driver considered at fault for the fatal Florida accident. A successful claim could allow you to obtain compensation for damages resulting from the incident.