Grief Of A Child
After a parent dies, many children will act younger than they are. The child may temporarily become more infantile; demand food, attention and cuddling; and talk baby talk. Younger children frequently believe they are the cause of what happens around them. A young child may believe a parent, grandparent, brother, or sister died because he or she had once wished the person dead when they were angry. The child feels guilty or blames him or herself because the wish came true.
Children who are having serious problems with grief and loss may show one or more of these signs: · an extended period of depression in which the child loses interest in daily activities and events· inability to sleep, loss of appetite, prolonged fear of being alone· acting much younger for an extended period· excessively imitating the dead person· repeated statements of wanting to join the dead person· withdrawal from friends, or· sharp drop in school performance or refusal to attend school If these signs persist, professional help may be needed. A child and adolescent psychiatrist or other qualified mental health professional can help the child accept the death and assist the others in
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