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Grief and the death of Michael Jackson
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Reports of Michael Jackson fans committing or contemplating suicide might be surprising to some. Many fans have probably never met Michael Jackson or seen him in concert. Yet for many fans, they may be going through a grieving process as if he were a family member that was recently deceased.
Grief, according to the Encarta Dictionary, is the feeling of intense sorrow or sadness. It is considered a natural feeling that has psychological, emotional, cognitive and behavioral responses associated with it. Those who experience a sudden death in the family might have symptoms of major depressive disorder that last for a short period of time or are intermittent within the following years. These symptoms include disinterest in previously entertaining hobbies, guilt for events out of their control (i.e. feeling responsible for the death), lengthy periods of sleep or insomnia, and a generally pessimistic attitude, even when positive events happen. Statistically speaking, 10 to 15 percent of diagnosed patients with major depressive disorder commit suicide.
Behaviorally, family and friends can act out in several ways. Some may immerse themselves in their work, just as Jennifer Hudson did when her family members were murdered in October 2008. She made her first public appearance in February 2009 singing the “Star Spangled Banner” during the Super Bowl, and performing on the Grammys with a song that seemed to memorialize her losses and give thanks to God for helping her get through those times. Cognitive aspects of grief can lead to people making sudden changes in their lifestyle, especially if the loss was related to health issues. It isn’t uncommon to see people living healthier lives or writing wills and advanced directives after a sudden death.
When aspects of grief begin to go beyond the norm and seriously affect someone’s lifestyle, grief counseling or grief therapy may be needed. In grief counseling, therapists and professional counselors help the person process through the feelings associated with the death. The patient, for instance, may want to ensure that their feelings and emotions are valid. Some may not express themselves as emotionally as other family members, which can lead to conflict in itself; yet they may reconcile their feelings through self-medication or other actions.
Grief therapy, on the other hand, may involve a more-intense form of counseling using specialized techniques if the person’s grieving leads to exaggerated behaviors or thoughts. A patient who has self-medicated through substance abuse for a few months or has seriously contemplated and attempted suicide several times after a loss may need grief therapy versus counseling.
However a person reacts after the death cannot always be predicted. It is just as possible for people who weren’t close to the deceased, such as dedicated fans, to experience grief. Michael Jackson fans in France were seen crying and wishing to travel to Los Angeles to be at Jackson’s place of death. Michael Jackson was once listed as the most charitable celebrity, so it is possible that his death could have a tremendous affect on fans that were associated with his philanthropy. The suicides are an indicator that these feelings can be just as real in fans as they are in relatives, so they should not be dismissed.
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