If you’ve recently lost someone or something, you may be going through the grieving process. Below I will talk about what grief is and how long the grieving process can be expected to take. I will also offer some tips on how to cope with loss.
What Is Grief?
The emotional pain that you feel after a loss is known as “grief.” Someone who’s grieving may feel a combination of shock, disbelief, sadness, anger, fear, and guilt, which can make it difficult to eat, sleep, and engage in other routine activities. It’s common for people to lose or gain weight, become sick, and feel achy.
Many people think of grief only in terms of the death of a person, but it can also occur when someone loses their:
- Health (their own health or a loved one’s health)
- Marriage, engagement, or dating relationship
- Pet
- Friendship
- Job
- Money
- House or personal property
- Dream
- Sense of safety (this often occurs after someone experiences a trauma)
Grief can be divided into numerous categories, including:
1) Anticipatory grief: when one begins to experience grieving for a loved one when they can anticipate the loss before it occurs such as when the individual is sick, elderly, or for any other reason;
2) Complicated grief: when grief symptoms are particularly severe, intense and/or long lasting;
3) Disenfranchised grief: when it is not socially acceptable to grieve a loss in public due to societal judgments about the individual who has been lost or one’s relationship to them, including but certainly not limited to: the loss of an incarcerated individual, a pet, or a miscarriage.
How Long Does the Grieving Process Take?
There’s no easy answer to this question, as the grieving timeline varies from one person to another. Some individuals heal within weeks or months, while others continue grieving for years. Many people go through the five stages of grief—which include denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—but it’s possible to heal without experiencing all (or any) of these stages.
How to Cope With Loss
Many people who are grieving a loss find it helpful to speak with a therapist. In addition to therapy, you may want to try:
- Talking to your loved ones
- Joining a bereavement support group or another type of support group
- Writing in a journal
- Turning to your faith (if you’re religious or spiritual)
- Eating a nutritious diet
- Exercising
- Participating in your regular hobbies or things that you enjoy
The Help You Need to Heal From Loss
If you’re having a difficult time coping with loss, you can consider speaking to a therapist who specializes in grief. Feel free to contact me today.
