Grief and Loss

Grief is a personal experience and reaction to loss. Grief can occur after many different types of loss including the death of a loved one, divorce or separation, diagnoses of a serious illness, children leaving home, loss of a job or property, or the death of a pet.

Stages of Grief:

Each person reacts differently. The following emotions are common to grieving people but they are not all-inclusive and not always experienced at all or in this order:

Shock and denial: Disbelief is often the first reaction after learning of a loss.

Anger: Grieving people will often feel resentment. They could also feel anger towards themselves and others for not preventing the loss.

Guilt: People may feel regret for things they did or didn’t do or say prior to the loss. They may blame themselves or feel guilt for the way they treated someone before the loss.

Depression: Those who have lost loved ones may experience deep sadness. They may feel overcome with loneliness and feel that they cannot make it on their own.

Fear: The death of a loved one may cause feelings of worry or panic. People often worry about their own deaths or become frightened by the thought of life without their loved one.

Hope: Eventually a person will begin to see a hopeful future and may even acquire new insights as a result of their grief process. They will become more interested in new interests and relationships and regain their confidence.

Symptoms of grief:

Difficulty sleeping
Weight loss or gain
Irritability
Depression
Fatigue, aches and pains
Difficulty concentrating
Loss of interest in friends, work, church, etc.
Self- condemnation
Suicidal thoughts

Learn more:

Grief is a natural and common emotion and while it is a painful experience, it can eventually lead to healing and emotional growth.

There is no right or wrong way to grieve, but there are healthy ways to deal with the grieving process. Visit HelpGuide.org for tips on coping with grief and loss.

Credit: Frontier Behavioral Health. Used with permission.