Grief and Loss Counseling

Grief is the normal response of sorrow, emotion, and confusion that comes from losing someone or something important to you.  It is a natural part of life.  Grief is a typical reaction to death, divorce, job loss, a move away from friends and family, or the loss of good health due to illness.

After a death or loss, you may feel empty and numb, as if you are in shock.  You may notice physical changes such as trembling, nausea, difficulty breathing, muscle weakness, dry mouth, or trouble sleeping and eating.  You may become angry - at a situation, a particular person, or just angry in general. Almost everyone experiencing grief also experiences guilt.  Guilt is often expressed as "I could have, I should have, and I wish I would have" statements. 

The length of time spent grieving is different for each person.  For some people, grief lasts a few months.  For others, grieving may take years.  There are many reasons for such differences, including personality, health, coping style, culture, family background, and life experiences.  The time spent grieving also depends on your relationship with the person lost and how prepared you were for the loss.

Every person who experiences a death or other loss must complete a four-step grieving process:

1. Accept the loss
2. Work through and feel the physical and emotional pain of grief
3. Adjust to living in a world without the person or item lost
4. Continue on with life

The grieving process is over only when a person completes the four steps.

Depression is more than a feeling of grief after losing someone or something you love.  Clinical depression is a whole body disorder.  It can take over the way you think and feel.  Symptoms of depression include:

• A sad, anxious, or "empty" mood that won't go away
• Loss of interest in what you used to enjoy
• Low energy, fatigue, feeling "slowed down"
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Loss of appetite, weight loss, or weight gain
• Trouble concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
• Feeling hopeless or gloomy
• Feeling guilty, worthless, or helpless
• Thoughts of death or suicide or a suicide attempt
• Recurring aches and pains that don't respond to treatment

If you recently experienced a death or other loss, these feelings may be part of a normal grief reaction.  But if these feelings persist with no lifting mood, ask for help.

If you or someone you know is struggling with grief and loss, please contact us today for a free consultation and ask to speak with Kimberley Harris, Ray Robinson, Jennifer Reed, or Chris Berger.