Chronic sorrow is particularly damaging because it can last for very long periods of time. Beginning at the time of diagnosis, parents reported significant grief that lasted for years, with no easy way to deal with stressors.

Duration of grief in parents with children with chronic illness.

Chronic sorrow was particularly bad for parents that worked full time. The stress of jobs and financial problems amplified their difficulties.

Chronic sorrow and working families

There is no easy solution to treat this form of grief, but ensuring doctors are able to better communicate with parents and improving working conditions would be helpful. Making care more affordable would also be beneficial.

Solutions for Chronic Sorrow

In addition, many parents reported their chronic sorrow was worsened by negative interactions with health experts. Recalling traumatic events, feelings of not being taken seriously, and insensitive comments make their challenges even more difficult. This indicates that there is a fundamental communication barrier between some ehalth care providers and patients.

Difficulty between parents and doctor communication related to chronic sorrow

This is an informal term used by some researchers to designate grief parents feel while raising clinically-ill children. It is characterized by feelings of grief due to constant stressors involving children's illness.

Michigan State University

When children are diagnosed with chronic illness, parents often have to become full-time caregivers. This, compounded with work and other life stressors, lead to depressive symptoms and stress in parents.

Grief in parents caring for chronically-ill children

Ajesh George, Vickers, Margaret H, Wilkes, Lesley, Barton, Belinda. (2006) Chronic grief: Experiences of working parents with chronic illness. Contemporary Nurse: a Journal for the Australian Nursing Profession, (2006-7) 23: 228-242

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