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Today marks 10 years since my dad passed away.
In the ICU. Acute alcohol withdrawal.
I don’t talk about this often, because frankly, I don’t want people to judge my dad. He was a brilliant engineer and inventor, .. (1/n)
In the ICU. Acute alcohol withdrawal.
I don’t talk about this often, because frankly, I don’t want people to judge my dad. He was a brilliant engineer and inventor, .. (1/n)
had a goofy sense of humor, and was always supportive of my dreams. There is so much more to his memory than the circumstances of his death. (2/n)
But I’m not alone: over 88,000 die from alcohol-related issues every yr in the US, over half of these from acute causes.
Over 88,000/yr who leave families and friends behind.
Countless missed opportunities.
The numbers expand if you include deaths from drugs or suicide. (3/n)
Over 88,000/yr who leave families and friends behind.
Countless missed opportunities.
The numbers expand if you include deaths from drugs or suicide. (3/n)
This is common, but what do we know about how to provide support to individuals who are bereaved from stigmatizing circumstances? In hospice and palliative medicine ( #hpm), there’s a focus on preparation for bereavement in order to reduce post-bereavement distress. (4/n)
This is impossible in cases of sudden deaths. Poor quality of death and suddenness of death are associated with increased psychological distress among bereaved individuals. (5/n)
Family members and friends bereaved by a stigmatizing condition or circumstance sometimes experience social awkwardness or judgmental language when seeking support. (6/n)
There’s room for improvement in helping people through bereavement, but some bereavement support resources do exist. Local medical centers often have bereavement support groups. (7/n)
In the UK, @DyingMatters provides a list of resources at: https://www.dyingmatters.org/page/finding-professional-support.
@WCMC_EOL has a list of online and US-based resources: https://memoryhome.weill.cornell.edu/resources
(8/n)
@WCMC_EOL has a list of online and US-based resources: https://memoryhome.weill.cornell.edu/resources
(8/n)
Also: Grief is normal, but if you’re concerned that distress is persistent and disabling, tell a mental health professional. Some experience prolonged grief symptoms after bereavement,and psychotherapeutic approaches can help. (9/n)
If you’ve experienced bereavement from a stigmatizing condition, know that you’re not alone and that support is available. And if you know someone who is recently bereaved, be kind and follow their lead: https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/support/bereaved-family-friends/dealing-grief/supporting-a-grieving-family-member-or-friend
(10/n)
(10/n)
