SIGNS OF GRIEF
Grief is a normal response to an unwelcome or untimely loss or change. Sometimes grief is manageable, sometimes grief can feel overwhelming and the support of a confidential, uninvolved person can help. While loss affects people in different ways, there are patterns of emotions and responses that can occur.
Shock & Disbelief
It can be hard to accept what happened. You may not believe what you are hearing and expect the person to turn up at any moment.
Sadness
Complete sadness, emptiness or loneliness are what most people describe when they talk about their grief. You may also cry a lot or feel emotionally unstable, alternatively you may not cry at all and feel numb.
Guilt
You may feel terribly guilty about things you did or didn’t say or do, or about how you are feeling.
Anger
Even if the loss was nobody’s fault, you may feel angry and have a desire to ‘blame someone’ for what has happened – yourself, God, the doctors, or even the person who died.
Fear
After a significant loss you may feel anxious, helpless, or insecure. If you have lost a loved one you may worry about how you can manage on your own without them.
Physical Symptoms
We often think of grief as an emotional process, but grief often involves physical problems, including fatigue, nausea, weight loss or weight gain, aches and pains, and not being able to sleep or sleeping too much.
It’s especially important that you talk to your doctor or a counsellor if you:
Feel life isn’t worth living.
Wish you had died with your loved one.
Feel disconnected.
Are having difficulty trusting others since your loss.
Are unable to perform your normal daily activities over an extended period.
If you would like to find out how Grief Support Services can help you or to make an appointment to see a counsellor, please fill out the relevant form at the links below. We will call you back within the next 24 hours. Or call 07 578 4480 during office hours.
