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Bereavement

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Can someone please help me make sense of this behaviour?

3 replies

Bluesue26 · 25/06/2012 12:08

I've been debating whether to post here for a while but after trying to find support groups etc I feel like I've hit a brick wall so here goes...
DH's DF died some months ago. The illness was sudden and FIL deteriorated quickly. It was devestating to everyone as FIL was very much loved and respected by many family, friends, and colleagues. DH was very close to his dad, (they're a very close family), and admired him immensely although they did fight and argue like cat and dog constantly.
Since FIL's death, it's like DH has completely changed. He's angry and complains about us, (myself and the DC) all the time. It's like he can't stand to be around us and we're an inconvenience to him. He's perfectly fine with other people, it's just us that he saves his rage for.
I understand that this is more than likely grief but I'm struggling to deal with the anger and the nasty comments. I can't help what happened and want to help him through this but it's difficult. If someone could tell me that this is just a stage he's going through, it will pass, and how to handle the behaviour I'd be really grateful.

OP posts:
everlong · 25/06/2012 12:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Tamisara · 25/06/2012 12:35

One of the stages of grief is anger, and it's easier for him to take it out on those closest to you, than strangers. We often take out our stresses on those closest to us (not condoning it, but it is true).

Grief is not rational. It is messy, complicated, unpredictable and confusing.

He probably doesn't know why he behaves the way he does.

He's probably angry at his dad for leaving him. Angry at himself for all the things he did/didn't say to his dad (and now never can).

He is probably also scared of being too close to you at the moment. When someone you love dies, it hurts, it hurts like crazy. It's logical, in a way, to distance yourself from others you love. He may think (wrongly) that in doing so he won't get hurt again.

He's probably also facing his own mortality. He's scared. His dad can die, and it brings it home that he can too, and that is a scary reality to face. Sure we all know it, but we know it in a detached way; your DH now has faced it in an involved way.

Grief though is a selfish journey. You can't do anything to hasten his arrival to the end of it. You can be there for him, hug him, let him know you love him & are there for him, but there is nothing you can say or do, to help him journey through it quicker.

When my second DD was born sleeping, I became detached from DD1 (who was 16 months old at the time). Partly I was scared of loving & being hurt. But I now realise that it was more due to my need to retreat, to work though my feelings. I couldn't be as emotionally available to her, as I needed a whole heap of my head/heart, to work through my loss. I never thought I'd recover the love/closeness, but I have. I'd even get angry when DD1 would wake in the night, as I wanted her sister, a newborn, to wake me up.

The guilt is the main cause of anger. But it is complicated.

Whilst I believe the above to be true, it's not fair for your DH to make you all feel rubbish. While he can't help how he feels, he can be made aware of how he's hurting you all.

Has he been referred for bereavment counselling? Would he go? It may help him to work through things, and be able to manage his feelings without hurting you (especially your DC) irreparably. Try googling CRUSE.

He may also be depressed (men aren't as good at expressing their feelings, and bottled up grief can easily cause depression), so it may be worth him seeing his GP. Antidepressants don't cure grief - there is no pill that can do that, but if he is depressed, it may help him get a handle on his feelings.

Bluesue26 · 25/06/2012 16:11

Firstly, thankyou so much for your replies. It really helps to say what I've been feeling and not be made to think I'm an utter bitch for doing so.
I doubt he'd go to counselling although I think he needs it for a number of issues. I do think he is depressed and that's why I've stayed because I know that this is just not him. It's hard because he's been unbelieveably spiteful and nasty at times and he seems to be bitching and complaining about everything and that's unlike him. It is a relief though to hear that this is a stage in the grieving process and will definitely try and research this more.

Also, thankyou for sharing your stories Thanks

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