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The Selfsame Well: Human Suffering in Grief and Bereavement

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Abstract

The death of a loved one and the period of grieving that follows can be a painful journey with physical, emotional, mental and spiritual suffering a familiar companion. Much has been written in the literature about the process of uncomplicated or normal grief. More recently the focus of research and therapeutic attention has shifted to the small but significant group of people who suffer from complicated grief. This paper explores the growing body of research that examines the persisting and debilitating suffering that accompanies complicated grief.

Your joy is your sorrow unmasked/And the self same well from which your laughter arises was oftentimes filled with your tears.

Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Palliative Care, Calvary Health Care Centre Sydney, Kogarah, 2217, NSW, Australia

    Elizabeth A. Lobb

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  1. Elizabeth A. Lobb
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Correspondence to Elizabeth A. Lobb .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , School of Philosophy - Private Bag 41, University of Tasmania, Hobart, 7001, Tasmania, Australia

    Jeff Malpas

  2. , School of Philosophy - Private Bag 41, University of Tasmania, Hobart, 7001, Tasmania, Australia

    Norelle Lickiss

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Lobb, E.A. (2012). The Selfsame Well: Human Suffering in Grief and Bereavement. In: Malpas, J., Lickiss, N. (eds) Perspectives on Human Suffering. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2795-3_23

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