Grief is a natural process that is painful, personal and normal. Grief is an emotional response resulting from a significant loss especially the death of a loved one. However other losses such as divorce, having to move, or significant adjustments in one’s life can bring grief. Grief can encompass a wide range of emotions such as fear, anger and deep, deep sadness. Bereavement refers to the process of recovering from the death of a loved one, and grief is a reaction for any form of loss.

The process of adapting to a loss can dramatically change from person to person, depending on his or her background, beliefs, relationship to the person who’s passed, and other factors.

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 their day-to-day routine after one loss, yet not be able to get out of bed after the loss of someone else. There is no timetable for grief everyone grieves differently. Holidays, Birthdays, and other events my magnify one’s loss. Counseling can help you process some of the emotions associated with grief and loss and help you on your healing journey.

If you are experiencing grief-related thoughts, behaviors, or feelings that are distressing, please contact me today.