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Physical Death vs. Non-physical Death

  Death is most commonly associated with loss.  Physical death brings great losses to family and friends.  Non-physical deaths or endings can also bring loss but their impact may not be as obvious to others.  Yet it is still painful for those going through a life-altering ordeal.  

  It is important to grieve and mourn because that is how people heal and move forward in life.  A person can feel loss through many different events including:

• death
• divorce
• separation
• illness
• injury
• transitions (i.e. loss of employment, empty-nest syndrome, geographical moves)

  This tip card describes the grief journey and the connection between brain injury and grief.  It explains why it is important for individuals and families to do the work of healing.

Primary and Secondary Losses

  People, who have a brain injury, their family and friends, and even their co-workers, may find themselves grappling with grief because of the primary and secondary losses that can follow a brain injury.  The impact that a brain injury has on an individual’s life can be staggering.  The day-to-day challenges and life-altering changes for a survivor of brain injury can be overwhelming.  The catastrophic injury results in the primary loss.  

  Secondary losses come after the primary loss.  They can be physical, emotional, spiritual, financial, and social losses.  These are the secondary losses.  

  The person with the brain injury, as well as every person in the family, will start on a journey of grief and mourning.  It is important to acknowledge and encourage this.  But this journey is not restricted to the individual and family.  Others who are involved with the person (co-workers, friends, and extended family) may also grieve and mourn.

  Everyone who is connected to the person with a brain injury may be affected in some way.  For example, a spouse may have to quit a job to become a caregiver.  Loss of employment and income are secondary losses for the spouse and family.  It is also the loss of the relationship between husband and wife that existed prior to the injury.  A spouse may have to give up outside activities.  These are losses of social and community connections.  Not only should each person explore any losses, but each person must find appropriate and safe ways to express their feelings of grief associated.