Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
Psalm 23:4
Bereavement and grief aren’t light-hearted topics. Bereavement refers to the process of recovering from the death of a loved one, and grief is a reaction for any form of loss. Both encompass a wide range of emotions such as fear, anger and deep, deep sadness.
The process of adapting to a loss can dramatically change from person to person, depending on his or her background, beliefs, relationship to the person who’s passed, and other factors.
The grief process of healing is a journey. We must go through our pain. We can’t go around it or over it or under it. The path to healing through loss, which means the path to wholeness, requires that we experience our pain. We are changed in the process. Loss is a universal element of life. The journey leads us to re-engage life.
A few common symptoms in these categories are:
Physical
- Frequent Crying and sighing
- Headaches
- Loss of appetite
- Difficulty sleeping
- Weakness
- Fatigue
Emotional
- Feelings of sadness and yearning
- Feelings of worry or anger
- Feelings of frustration or guilt
- Feeling numb
Social
- Feeling detached from others
- Self-isolation from social contact
- Difficulty concentrating
- Behaving in ways that are not normal for you
The mind is seeking comfort and meaning. In Viktor Frankl’s book, Man’s Search for Meaning, he wrote that in the worst circumstances that people face, the ones who survive are those who can find meaning in their suffering. Every grieving experience is different. A person may be able to continue their day-to-day routine after one loss, yet not be able to get out of bed after the loss of someone else. Whatever your personal symptoms are, grief and bereavement counseling have been proven to help.
If you are experiencing grief-related thoughts, behaviors, or feelings that are distressing, please contact me today so we can schedule an appointment and start the journey together.