Grief & Loss
We will all experience losses in the course of our lives. With the right support, people adapt over time.
Depending on who or what you've lost, the circumstances, and other factors, you may find you can recover with the support of family and friends, and perhaps your faith.
However, if you've been grieving for quite a long time, or in a way that seems to stop you from moving forward in life, it could be very helpful to spend time with a knowledgeable and compassionate therapist. Sometimes people even find it helpful to "pre-grieve" with a therapist in anticipation of an upcoming loss, such as the death of a parent or someone who has a terminal illness.
Every grieving process unfolds in its own way. 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 another. Sometimes a loss that seems "small" to others may be very painful for you.
Some of the ways you may notice you are affected could include:
Physical
- Crying and sighing
- Headaches
- Loss of appetite
- Difficulty sleeping
- Fatigue or weakness
Emotional
- Feeling sad or hopeless
- Feeling worried or angry
- Feeling guilty or ruminating on unanswered questions
Social
- Feeling detached from others
- Isolating yourself from others
- Behaving in ways that are not normal for you, including leaning on alcohol or drugs to cope
Beliefs and values (personal, cultural, spiritual)
- Leaning into your bedrock beliefs and values, or
- Questioning or rejecting previously held beliefs or values