Program & Services

How To Deal With Grief

Grief is the normal response that comes from losing someone or something important to you. It is a natural part of life. Grief is a reaction to death. It can be a reaction to divorce. It can also be a reaction to job loss.

How Does Grief Feel?

You may feel empty after a death or a loss. You are in shock. You may notice physical changes such as trembling or nausea. You may have trouble breathing or dry mouth. Your muscles may be weak. You may have trouble sleeping and eating.

You may become angry - at a situation, a particular person, or just angry in general. Almost everyone in grief also experiences guilt. Guilt is often expressed as "I could have, I should have, and I wish I would have" statements.

People in grief may have strange dreams or nightmares, be absent-minded, withdraw socially, or lack the desire to return to work. While these feelings and behaviors are normal during grief, they will pass.

How Long Does Grief Last?

Grief lasts as long as it takes you to accept and learn to live with your loss. For some people, grief lasts a few months. For others, grieving may take years.

The length of time spent grieving is different for each person. There are many reasons for the 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.

How Will I Know When I'm Done Grieving?

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

• Accept the loss;
• Work through and feel the physical and emotional pain of grief;
• Adjust to living in a world without the person or item lost; and
• Move on with life.

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

How Does Grief Differ from Depression?

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; and
• 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.