Coping With Loss
Every person is unique in the way he or she handles the loss of a loved one. While the grieving process is different for each of us, we all experience some common feelings as we work toward healing from our loss.
The grieving process refers to the emotional and psychological journey that someone experiences after a significant loss, such as the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or another major life change. It is a natural response to loss and typically involves various “stages” or “phases,” although not everyone experiences them in the same order or intensity. You may even repeat the process a number of times as you continue to work through your grief.
The stages of grief, as identified by psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, are often described as denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. However, it's important to note that grief is a highly individual process, and people may not necessarily go through all the stages, or they may experience them in different ways and sequences.
Grief can manifest physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. Physical symptoms may include fatigue, changes in appetite, or insomnia. Emotionally, grief can lead to sadness, guilt, anger, or numbness. Socially, individuals may withdraw or seek more connection with others, depending on their coping style. Spiritually, grief may prompt questions about the meaning of life or one's beliefs.
Support from friends, family, or a therapist can be crucial during the grieving process by helping individuals navigate their feelings and find ways to adjust to life without what or whom they have lost. Over time, most people find a way to integrate their loss into their lives and move forward, although the pain of grief may never fully disappear.
How long am I going to feel this way?
Every person is unique and so is their grief journey. Each person will follow a different path towards healing and there is no right or wrong amount of time. Many experts agree that it is not unusual to take at least a year to move through the grieving process.
Complicated Grief
The duration of your grief journey can be influenced by your relationship to the deceased, your support system and other factors. During the first few months after a loss, many signs and symptoms are the same between normal and complicated grief. Over time, normal grief symptoms gradually start to fade. However, complicated grief persists and can significantly impair a person’s ability to function in daily life.
Symptoms of complicated grief can include:
- Intense sorrow, pain, and rumination over the loss
- Numbness or detachment
- Inability to enjoy life or think back on positive experiences
- Bitterness about your loss or life itself
- Having trouble carrying out normal routines
- Isolation yourself from others or withdrawing from social activities
- Believe you could have done something to prevent the death
- Wishing you had died with your loved one
It’s important to seek help from professionals if you feel you are experiencing complicated grief and it is disruptive to your day-to-day life.
