What is grief?
- Grief is a normal response we have when we lose someone or something. We can experience grief relating to a lot of things: the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, the loss of possessions, the loss of good health or mobility, or even the loss of an imagined future that we expected.
- Grief can be very confusing and can come and go in waves, when we least expect it. Everyone responds differently to grief and not everyone's grief will follow a set timeline.
- Certain types of grief are not understood or recognized by society as much as others. For example, pregnancy loss or miscarriage is often not talked about openly and might not be viewed in the same way as the death of a child who has been born or an adult; this can be very painful and isolating for a person experiencing this type of grief.
- There is no "right" or "wrong" way to express or process grief although there are some warning signs that you might need support as you go through your grief. These may include: using a lot of alcohol or drugs, isolating yourself from other people, having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, or not being able to take care of yourself (for example, not eating or bathing). If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, it is very important to reach out for help.
- Feeling a lot anxiety or depression after a loss can also be a sign that you need support. Sometimes, a loss can be traumatic and lead to PTSD, which makes it very difficult to cope with grief on your own.
- Especially when a loved one dies, it is normal to have feelings of regret or guilt and wish that you had done something differently. It is important to remember that you most likely did the best that you could at the time and to forgive yourself for any mistakes you feel you made.
- If you are struggling to cope with grief, seeing a therapist for grief counselling or attending a grief support group can be helpful.
More information about grief and loss:
https://pailnetwork.sunnybrook.ca/
If you are struggling with grief or loss, please reach out to book a free consultation.
