The Dynamics of Grief

by David K. Switzer

THE CHALLENGE OF FINDING ANSWERS TO PRACTICAL AND RELEVANT QUESTIONS ABOUT GRIEF IS TAKEN UP BY DAVID K. SWITZER IN THIS PENBETRATING ANALYSIS. THE AUTHOR CONTENDS THAT ANY SEPARATION, OR THREAT OF SEPARATION, FROM AN EMOTIONALLY SIGNIFICANT OTHER PERSON IS A POTENTIAL THREAT TO THE INTEGRITY OF SELF. THIS CAUSES ANXIETY, AND GRIEF IS THE ANXIETY CAUSED BY SEPARATION THROUGH DEATH. DR. SWITZER SAYS, IT IS NOT THE EXTERNAL EVENTS, WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE DECEASED WHICH DEFINES GRIEF, BUT WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE BEREAVED, THE INNER PSYCIC OR EMOTIONAL EVENTS OF THE STILL LIVING BUT THREATENED PERSON. DR. SWITZER DEALS WITH THE FEAR OF ONE'S OWN DEATH AND THE SEARCH FOR MEANING IN GRIEF. HE ALSO POINTS UP THE SERIOUSNESS OF INADEQUATE OR UNCOMPLETED EXPRESSION OF GRIEF, AND SUGGESTS PRACTICAL MEANS FOR AIDING THE PROCESS OF HEALING GRIEF. THIS BOOK FILLS THE NEED FOR KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE DYNAMICS OF GRIEF, OFFERS IMPROVED MEANS FOR HELPING THE BEREAVED, AND SUGGESTS CONSCIOUS PREPARATIONS FOR GRIEF BEFORE IT BEGINS. THIS STUDY WILL BROADEN THE UNDERSTANDING OF AN EMOTION THAT HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEEN NEGLECTED.

221 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1970

Reviews

[John Culbertson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read The Dynamics of Grief as part of a Clinical Pastoral Education unit, during which we focused on grief and loss. I found the first few chapters incredibly dry, and Switzer's language is also very dated. He clings to Freudian assumptions: patriarchal family structures and mother-child relations.
Nevertheless, Switzer's thesis (articulated primarily in chapters 3 and 4) provides caregivers with a systematic understanding of how loss and grief inform survivors' sense (or loss) of self.

The latter four chapters are incredibly insightful. As Switzer points out, grief is often a buzzword, used loosely by psychologists, therapists, and minister/chaplains alike. Switzer explains how grief is more-so the feeling of separation anxiety. Understanding the dynamics of separation anxiety is therefore key to understanding grief. I would definitely recommend this text to future CPE students and all those seeking to better care for and accompany individuals experiencing loss.