Today I’ll speak to you about a very serious subject: Depression in the process of grief.
It is perfectly normal when you have just lost your pet that you have depressive symptoms, that does not mean that you are depressed. In a normal process of grief, the majority of people will not need therapy, but here is the list of indicators to see a doctor for depression.
- Demonstrate a decline to have fun and a significant increase in sadness of hopelessness and powerlessness.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Difficulty sleeping, trouble sleeping or too much sleep.
- Change of appetite.
- Sense of guilt over the suffering / death of his animal.
- Increase in mood swings or anger.
- Demonstrates an impulsive attitude towards decision-making.
- Thoughts of death / suicide.
These criteria are variable and do not need to have the entire list to believe that there is possibility of depression. It is normal to have depressive states, but if there is more, your doctor can help you.
We will consult when we are caught in a stage of mourning. For example: The guilt of euthanasia of your animal takes all the place, you only think about that or the way he died, but it’s been months that it lasts. You keep his objects, his toys, you keep a bowl of eating or water filled.
We will consult a pet loss therapist to help loosen one of these steps. When we no longer move.
When people say around: It’s not good! You only talk about your dead animal!
We will consult when we have no one to talk to safely and without judgment.
If you know of people who seem to have depression symptoms, please suggest that you see a doctor or bereavement therapist. Untreated depression can have fatal consequences.
Do not stay isolated, it is not the solution to your suffering of animal grief.
Brigitte Bérubé
Therapist in a relationship of help
Specialist petloss.
