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.
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Physical symptoms may include - |
Emotional symptoms may include - |
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Dry mouth |
Sadness |
Anger |
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Lack of energy |
Guilt |
Anxiety |
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Weakness in the muscles |
Loneliness |
Fatigue |
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Breathlessness |
Helplessness |
Shock |
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Shortness of breath |
Relief |
Numbness |
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Feeling like nothing is real |
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Tightness in chest or throat |
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Hollowness in the stomach |
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Psychological symptoms may include- |
Behaviours may include - |
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Sleep disturbances |
Disbelief |
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Adsentmindedness |
Confusion |
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Over or under eating |
Preoccupation |
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Social withdrawal |
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Dreams of the deceased |
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Avoiding reminders of the deceased |
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Sighing |
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Crying |
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