A re-introduction to suicide survivors I hope this helps ! A post about surviving the unimaginable!

I havent been to this site in some time. Im sorry. My loss is not new, but it stays with me. I found this message a long time ago and it has stuck with me. I've posted it here once before. Its my hope that you all may take something away from it for yourselves. I'm sorry you have reason to be here, but Im glad you've found this site. Suicide survivors groups saved my sanity. I may not know you by name or by loss, but I do know your journey by heart ...

 

 

 

This is copied from a support group from the Uk, it is something I think we can all relate too and I hope it helps.
Sue

The survivor of a suicide bereavement faces a stark choice … ‘it is up to you … to decide whether to be permanently hurt by the last act of a free individual or not … this option is YOURS’. (Lake 1984)

Know you can survive. You may not think so but you can.

Struggle with ‘why’ it happened until you no longer need to know ‘why’ or until you are satisfied with partial answers.

Know you may feel overwhelmed by the intensity of your feelings, but all these feelings are normal.

You may feel rejected, abandoned, share these feelings.

Anger, guilt, confusion, denial, forgetfulness are common responses. You are not going crazy; you are in mourning. Be aware you may feel anger, appropriate anger, at the person, at the world, at friends, at God, at yourself; it’s all right to express it.

•You may feel guilty for what you think you did or did not do. Remember the choice was not yours-one cannot be responsible for another’s actions.

•Find a good listener; be open and honest about your feelings.

•Do not remain silent – about what has happened our about how you feel.

•You may feel suicidal, this is normal, it does not mean you will act on those thoughts.

•Do not be afraid to cry, tears are healing.

•Keeping an emotional diary is useful as well as healing. Record your thoughts, feelings and behaviour. Writing a letter to the deceased expressing your thoughts and feelings can also be part of the healing process.

•Give yourself time to heal.

•Expect setbacks. If emotions return like a tidal wave, you may be experiencing ‘unfinished business’.

•Try to put off making any major decisions.

•Seek professional advice. Be aware of the pain of your family and friends.

•Be patient with yourself and with others who may not understand.

•Set your own limits and learn to say no.

•Ask questions, work through the guilt, anger, bitterness and other feelings until you can let them go. Letting go does not mean forgetting.

•It is common to experience physical symptoms in your grief, headaches, sleeplessness, loss of appetite etc.

•Know that you will never be the same again, but you can survive and even go beyond just surviving.
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Replies to This Discussion

Thank you for sharing.  My brother just took his life on 1-31-11, it feels so freshly pained still.  The emptiness and the knowing of each morning that I wake up to yet try to go through another day is horrible.  The struggle of missing him and deeply wanting him back kills me.  I am inthe stage of the what if? why didn't I?  are haunting me alive.  It hurts.  I want to turn it all off, but I can't. 
One sister to another Rebecca, Im so sorry. Yes there are certain stages we go thru and some last longer than others. Talking really helps so please tell me about your brother...

To everyone,

This is a journey, your grief and how you choose to grieve and how long you grieve is as individual as you are. Relationships are complicated, we are mothers,fathers,siblings,extended family,friends and the like. This post is for all of us, and I truly hope it helps, at whatever stage of grief you are in.

 

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