Grief and the pandemicGrief and the pandemic
All In The Mind
Grief is deeply painful but it's something the majority of us …eventually … find ways to live with. But research is starting to emerge on how the pandemic may have changed the way we grieve - making the experience more intense, more debilitating. As places like Australia and the US move on from the harshest restrictions of the last two years… is how we grieve returning to baseline? Or is it still too early to know? On All in the Mind this week, how the COVID pandemic has changed the nature of grief.
29:43•16 Apr 2022
Grief's New Face: Navigating Loss During a Pandemic
Episode Overview
- COVID-19 has intensified grief experiences globally.
- New grief scale developed to identify severe cases early.
- Isolation complicates traditional grieving processes.
- Debate exists over pathologising ordinary grief.
- Grief impacts all aspects of life, from social to spiritual.
“"I don't like phrases like closure or move on or letting go."”
What secrets to maintaining sobriety can be uncovered during a pandemic? This episode of 'All In The Mind' tackles the intricate topic of grief, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sana Khadar hosts an engaging discussion with psychology experts Sherman Lee and Lauren Breen, who explore how the pandemic has altered our grieving processes.
They delve into the emotional and psychological impacts of losing loved ones during such a tumultuous time, highlighting the ripple effects that grief can have on individuals and communities. Sherman Lee introduces the pandemic grief project, which studies the unique grief symptoms tied to COVID-19 losses. The episode sheds light on the development of a new grief scale, aiming to identify those at risk of severe grief conditions early on.
This research reveals alarming statistics about dysfunctional grief, where more than half of surveyed individuals showed clinical levels of distress. Elizabeth Shaw adds her perspective, explaining how grief has become more complicated due to situational factors like isolation and inability to hold proper funerals. The conversation shifts towards the debate around prolonged grief disorder, questioning if ordinary grief is being pathologised.
Listeners will find this episode both eye-opening and compassionate, offering a snapshot of how grief is evolving in a post-pandemic world. With expert insights and real-life anecdotes, it’s a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the complex layers of grief today. How has your experience of grief changed over the past few years?
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