Dear Dougy

Where did everyone go? How grief affects connections with family and friends.  This episode grew out of a few questions from the community –  Why is it common for communication to either lessen with family/close friends or strengthen after a mutual loss? Why is it easier to connect with strangers? In my family we don't talk about the person - How do I know if I can bring it up? How do I bring it up? Grief affects our connections with others in many ways. Loss can foster a greater closeness with family and friends and it can also wreak havoc on existing relationships, leaving people unsure and disappointed. Many factors contribute to changes in relationships, particularly the role that the person who died played in your family and friend constellation. For some grieving people, especially children and teens, it can feel more comfortable talking with those they aren’t close to, including those who didn’t know the person who died.  Suggestions for ways to make it easier to talk about the person who died in you