Grief is a natural human response to loss, but bereavement of a loved one can be an intense and at times desolate experience. While painful experiences are normal during this time, your emotions may feel trapped on a non-stop rollercoaster, with downs and deeper downs interspersed with periods of brief respite.
Like a piece of glass that’s sharp when first broken, your grief may always be with you. But like that glass whose edges become smooth with the effects of time, sand and water, your grief can heal and transform into a new life worth living.
Bereavement refers to the process of recovering from the death of a loved one, and grief is a reaction for any form of loss. Both encompass a wide range of emotions such as fear, anger and deep, deep sadness.
Common symptoms of grief can be physical, emotional or social.
A few common symptoms in these categories are:
Physical
- crying and sighing
- headaches
- loss of appetite
- difficulty sleeping
- weakness
- fatigue
Emotional
- feelings of sadness and yearning
- feelings of worry or anger
- feelings of frustration or guilt
Social
- feeling detached from others
- self-isolation from social contact
- behaving in ways that are not normal for you
Every grieving experience is different. A person may be able to continue daily routine after one loss, yet not be able to get out of bed after the loss of someone else. The process of adapting to a loss is a very personal journey, depending on the person’s background, beliefs, relationship to the person who’s passed, and other factors. While grieving can foster compassion and connection among family and friends, it is also common for the grieving person to struggle with anger, conflict, a lack of understanding, or an inability to fully share feelings with others. Whatever your personal experiences are, grief and bereavement counseling have been proven to help. Grief and bereavement counseling can provide you a much-needed safe space to work through your struggles with a caring, nonjudgmental professional.
“In the end, just three things matter: How well we have lived. How well we have loved. How well we have learned to let go.”
– Jack Kornfield
In my grief and bereavement counseling, I work with you toward lessening the pain so you can function better in your post-loss life. I listen with empathy, discuss ways to deal with unhelpful and unhealthy thoughts and behaviors, and teach you techniques to manage distress and enable you to move forward and heal with self-compassion.
If you are experiencing grief-related thoughts, behaviors, or feelings that are distressing, please contact me today so we can schedule an appointment.