GRIEF AND LOSS

There are some obvious sources of grief such as the death of a spouse or close family member and the break up of a marriage. However there are other events that can cause grief that aren’t as obvious to us, such as leaving or losing a job, retirement or life transitions, moving house or moving to a different state or country, and a physical injury (especially if it effects ones life style). Anything that we place value on that we lose in one form or another can cause us to experience grief.

After the death of a loved one, it can often be a busy time, arranging the funeral, talking to family and friends, preparing to talk at the funeral etc. It is often not until after the funeral when everyone goes back to there lives that the reality of the loss of the loved one begins to set in. It can be helpful for people to seek some grief counselling around this time to help process the grief and help to adjust to life.

Physical symptoms may include -

Emotional symptoms may include -

Dry mouth

Sadness

Anger

Lack of energy

Guilt

Anxiety

Weakness in the muscles

Loneliness

Fatigue

Breathlessness

Helplessness

Shock

Shortness of breath

Relief

Numbness

Feeling like nothing is real

 

 

Tightness in chest or throat

 

 

Hollowness in the stomach

 

 

 

 

 

Psychological symptoms may include-

Behaviours may include -

Sleep disturbances

Disbelief

Adsentmindedness

Confusion

Over or under eating

Preoccupation

Social withdrawal

 

Dreams of the deceased

 

Avoiding reminders of the deceased

 

Sighing

 

Crying

 

 

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