Grief:
A strong emotional, physical or spiritual reaction to a loss. It can be caused by a variety of things, such as the loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, a home, or a divorce. It is accompanied by a large array of emotions-shock, anger, guilt, disbelief, or fear. There can be physical reactions such as insomnia, fatigue, pain, weight loss or gain, or nausea. There may also be spiritual reactions such as disappointment in religion or a strengthening of faith.
Emotions can be overwhelming, with the fear that they will never subside. These feelings are normal and part of the grieving and healing process. Grieving takes time and happens gradually and there is no normal time table. Grief more often comes in waves- depending on what you are doing or triggers that make you remember your loss.
“We might think of the grieving process as a roller coaster, full of ups and downs, highs and lows. Like many roller coasters, the ride tends to be rougher in the beginning, the lows may be deeper and longer. The difficult periods should become less intense and shorter as time goes by, but it takes time to work through a loss. Even years after a loss...we may still experience a strong sense of grief.”-Hospice foundation of America
Complicated Grief:
How I can help:
Every-one’s reaction to grief is personal and different. There is no one right way. Grief may never fully go away but in time it won’t remain center stage. If your sadness is so constant that it keeps you from resuming life- you may be experiencing a more complicated grief.
Complicated Grief:
- You've been grieving for 4 months with no days of relief
- You struggle with normal daily activities and it is affecting your ability to concentrate, sleep, eat or socialize.
- You feel you can't go on living after the loss and think about suicide, dying, or hurting yourself.
- Some try to numb their feelings through drug or alcohol use
How I can help:
- Provide a safe and caring atmosphere where you can grieve in your own way
- Assist you in understanding and recognizing the ranges in reactions to loss and trauma
- Help you find ways to express your grief
- Help you address and reduce additional stresses in your life through organizing and prioritizing day-today and recovery related tasks.
- Assists you in identifying and drawing upon your strengths
- Help you continue to develop healthy coping skills
- Provide resources or appropriate referrals to assist you in finding support
- Help your plan ahead for triggers
http://www.compassionatefriends.org (for those who have lost a child)
http://www.griefresourcescatalog.com/catalog/ (for books and catalogs on subject)
