Solving Festive Season Sadness

By Richard Bryant on December 15, 2010 in Other

The so-called festive season is typically a happy time of year for most people, but for those who are missing a lost loved one it can be tinged with sadness and grief.

A major new treatment program is currently underway at the University of New South Wales that aims to help people who are stuck in their grief. It comes in the wake of a major debate occurring internationally over whether grief is simply a normal response to the loss of a loved one or a mental disorder.

One of the major issues in this debate is how people who are grieving should be helped. This question is now being addressed in a unique way by the University of New South Wales’ new treatment program.

The study is testing a new way to deliver cognitive behaviour therapy to people with complicated grief. This approach is assisting patients to resolve their grief reactions by helping them to focus on memories of the deceased in a specific way that allows them to address each of their emotional reactions and to re-evaluate issues that have been outstanding since the loss.

The evidence from this trial indicates that this approach is highly successful because patients who received the grief-specific therapy are likely to resolve their grief reactions, which opens up exciting opportunities for patients who have suffered the long-term effects of grief, and provides a promising alternative to counseling.

People wishing to participate in this free treatment program can call 9845 7979 or visit www.traumaticstressclinic.com. Treatment is offered at the University of New South Wales (Randwick).