How to Deal with Loss and Grief
Humans all feel grief when they lose someone or something they care about. People grieve in different ways, for different reasons, and for different lengths of time.
Grief - is a universal sensation that affects everyone at some point in their lives. Despite this, many of us are unable to cope with the accompanying emotional anguish that comes with loss. An overview of the mourning process and some advice for dealing with grief and loss are provided here.
What Is the Term "Grief"?
When you lose someone or something you care about, you feel grief. In this context, the word "pain" is used to describe a mixture of sadness, rage, nostalgia, shock, and disbelief, all of which are represented by the word "pain." People of all ages and walks of life experience grief when they suffer a severe loss.
Even the loss of apparently inconsequential goods can bring anguish. Hundreds of thousands of people throughout the world are mourning the loss of loved ones due to COVID-19. But death isn't the only source of pain and suffering. There are a number of reasons why you can be feeling depressed:
Trauma
Disease
Unexpected layoffs occur.
Divorce, separation, or broken heart
Money is lost.
Miscarriage
An end to a friendship is inevitable.
Empathy for a family member or friend
A pet's death
Lost property, such as a home, automobile or land that is dear to the heart.
Relocating to a new place
Retirement
a lack of faith in one's ability to achieve a long-term aim
It doesn't matter what you've lost; the more emotionally invested you are in the loss, the greater the intensity of your grieving will be. Some people are devastated by the loss of a beloved sports team or movie franchise for months at a time.
The Grief Process: Five Stages
Swiss-American psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross described the five phases of mourning in her 1969 book 'On Death and Dying.' Grief and loss are processed in the following way by the human mind:
Denial
You are in a state of shock and disbelief during the first phase of mourning. The world loses all significance when simple facts are no longer comprehensible.
You may first try to convince yourself that the test findings are incorrect if you've been given the news that you have a terminal illness. Denial can be so strong that it might mask bodily symptoms like headaches and joint discomfort.
In a strange way, denying the reality of loss is graceful. When confronted with some truths, it can be quite difficult to come to grips with them. Those things that are not acceptable to the mind are rejected by the body. It's a good idea to pretend you don't feel something, even if you really do.
Anger
Anger follows denial. You've finally come to terms with the reality of your situation, and now you're searching for someone or something to blame for your misery. Anger sparked by loss has no bounds. Death might leave you feeling resentful toward yourself for not doing enough while the deceased was still living, toward doctors who 'let' their patient to die, or toward the departed themselves because they are no longer here with you.
This is the stage where your mind tries to make sense of what has happened by looking for a cause where there is none.
Bargaining
Negotiation follows rage. You begin negotiating with God, the cosmos, destiny, and even yourself in an attempt to get your life back to how it was before the loss. You're more likely to experience this if you're still holding out hope that things will turn out okay.
If you've been diagnosed with diabetes, you'll need to change your diet. You could argue that if you start adjusting your diet and lifestyle now, the ailment will go away. You may discover a religious or spiritual side of yourself that you didn't even know existed during this time.
Depression
When negotiations fail, you are confronted with the truth. It takes a toll on your mental and emotional health when you feel helpless. You may begin to plunge into a deep despair as you process all that has happened.
You're suddenly unable to connect with those around you. You are no longer content with your activities, friends, or loved ones. This is the most depressing phase of grieving for the griever. Without treatment, depression can last for years or even decades.
Acceptance
Acknowledging that this is the new reality and that nothing can be done to change it is not the same as being 'cool' with the loss. I like to refer to it as "comforting yourself with the loss." Acceptance entails coming to terms with the fact that you will always be without the people or things you treasured most in your life.
To replace the void left by the loss of a loved one, you may begin to contemplate what changes you must make in your life. Some people try to find a replacement for what they've lost, such as a new pet, pastime, or important relationships with others.
Grief: Its Consequences and Symptoms
Grief and loss have different effects on different people. Anxiety and depression are common reactions to a significant loss:
Anxiety-inducing symptoms (aches and pains, fatigue and loss of appetite)
Worry and anxiety
Indignation and resentment.
Dread of the future
Distancing emotions
Abhorrent conduct (change in eating habits, social conduct, lifestyle, etc.)
Insomnia
Memory loss and deterioration of cognition
How to Deal with Loss and Grief
Techniques for coping with grief are easier said than done, in the majority of cases. However, the most important thing is to allow yourself to grieve openly and honestly. Healing can be sped up and accelerated by a number of activities, such as:
As you grieve, allow yourself to feel the full range of your emotions.
Get your mind off of things by engaging in physical activity.
Find ways to express yourself through art.
Friends and family members can help you cope with the loss of a loved one.
Instead of dwelling on the past and blaming others, focus on what you have and be grateful for what you've accomplished.
Grooming, eating healthily, socializing, and keeping a fun routine are all ways to take care of oneself.
Become a member of a support network.
Relax and allow yourself some time to recuperate.
Is It Time To Hire a Professional?
Losing a loved one can be a trying moment, especially if you don't have the support of close relatives and friends. Even though you've done everything you can, you may still find yourself feeling lost and lonesome. For many people, prolonged grief can lead to depression that prevents them from carrying out their duties as a friend, spouse or work or as a parent. If you've recently lost a loved one, you may find yourself on the other side of a thin line between health and uncontrollable emotional misery.
Talk to a mental health expert like a psychologist if you can't get over your loss and can't seem to go on. Consult a grief counselor if you are struggling to cope.
