Bereavement and Grief
The death of a loved one can be one of the most stressful occurrences in life, and it can lead to a serious emotional breakdown. One suffers grief, which literally means “to be deprived by death”, after the death of someone one cares about.
Even if the death is foreseeable, one may experience a wide range of emotions when it occurs. After learning of a death, many people describe experiencing a period of numbness.
- Denial/Disbelief
- Confusion
- Shock
- Sadness/Yearning
- Anger/Humiliation
- Despair
- Guilt
These are frequent and natural reactions to loss. One may be surprised by the intensity and endurance of one’s emotions, as well as how quickly one’s moods might shift. One may even begin to doubt one’s mental health’s stability. But rest assured that these emotions are normal and healthy, and that they will assist one in coming to grips with one’s loss.
It takes time for the effects of a great loss to sink in completely.
Living with Grief
- Your mental health must cope with death. When a loved one passes away, it’s only normal to feel sorrow. Allowing yourself to mourn is the finest thing you can do. There are a variety of approaches to dealing with pain properly.
- Look for folks who are concerned about your well-being. Locate family and friends who can empathise with your grief. Join a support group to meet people who are going through the same thing.
Let your feelings be known. - Feel free to express yourself. Telling others how you’re feeling will assist you in working through your grief.
- Take good care of yourself. Keep in touch with your family physician regularly, and make sure you eat well and get plenty of rest. Be mindful of the risk of becoming reliant on medication or alcohol to cope with your loss.
- Accept the fact that life is meant to be lived. It takes work to get back into the habit of living in the present and not in the past.
- Major life changes should be postponed. Make any substantial changes, such as moving, remarrying, changing careers, or having another kid, as late as possible. Allow yourself some time to adjust to your loss.
- Patience is required. It might take months, if not years, to recover after a severe loss and adjust to your new life.
- When required, seek outside assistance. If your grief appears to be too much to handle, get professional counselling to help you work through it. Seeking aid is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Remember, with support, patience and effort, you will survive grief. Some day the pain will lessen, leaving you with cherished memories of your loved one
Source:
Mental Health America
