Educational case study
Grief After a Family Loss — Educational Scenario
Adult, 40s–60s
Educational case study — not a diagnosis or treatment recommendation. This scenario is fictional and anonymised for teaching. It does not describe a real patient of Dr. Vandana, and it is not a record of anyone she has treated.
A person describes missing a close family member several months after the death, with waves of sadness and difficulty concentrating at work.
Presenting concerns
- Waves of sadness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sleep disruption
- Guilt about 'moving on'
Factors a psychologist may explore
- A close caregiving relationship before the loss
- Family roles that leave little room to talk
- Work that continued with little pause
Assessment considerations
- The nature of the relationship and the loss
- Supports available in family, faith or community
- Whether daily functioning is possible some of the time
- Whether hopelessness or thoughts of not wanting to live are present
Formulation concepts
- A psychologist may understand grief as a continuing bond and a process of adjusting to a changed life, rather than a problem to erase.
- Guilt and concentration difficulties can appear in grief without meaning that something is 'wrong' with the person.
Possible approaches
- A respectful space to speak about the person who died
- Allowing grief to have a place alongside ordinary responsibilities
- Gentle routines around sleep and support
- Not rushing 'closure'
Monitoring
- Whether the person can access any support
- Sleep and ability to manage essential tasks
- Intensity of guilt or hopelessness
Referral considerations
- Professional assessment if functioning remains very limited
- Urgent support if the person feels unsafe
Educational takeaway
- Grief does not follow a single timeline.
- Counselling does not remove love or memory; it may help a person live with both.