What Is Grief?
Grief is the natural response to losing something or someone who you formed feelings for. One may feel sad and lonely, which can be due to the death of a loved one, loss of a job, after a breakup, or any other event that alters their life drastically. Grief can also be caused by a chronic illness or moving to a new place or staying alone. Everyone grieves differently, one may cry, get angry, feel withdrawn, or feel empty, but with the right support and by getting help at the right time, one can heal.
What Are the Causes of Grief?
The following losses can result in grief:
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Death of a loved one.
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Divorce.
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Losing a job.
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Any illness.
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Loss of friendship.
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Loss of a dream.
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Retirement.
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Death of a pet.
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Changing jobs.
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Moving to a new place.
What Are the Emotional Symptoms of Grief?
Some of the emotional symptoms associated with grief are:
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Numbness.
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Bitterness.
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Detachment.
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Inability to show joy.
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Problems in accepting reality.
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Losing the sense of purpose.
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Lack of trust.
What Are the Physical Symptoms and Effects on the Body?
Grief is not entirely an emotional response, it can have physical symptoms like:
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Improper digestion.
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Weakness.
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Muscle soreness.
If left untreated, grief can lead to mental and physical health problems. If one notices that their symptoms are getting worse, and if their loss is affecting their health, consult the doctor immediately.
What Are the Stages of Grief?
As everyone grieves differently, the phase in which you are depends on how you come to terms with the loss. There are five stages of grief, which are:
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Denial - People often respond to intense and sudden feelings of loss by pretending that it never happened. It is a common defense mechanism, which makes people temporary numb to the severity of the situation. It also gives people more time to absorb and process the news. But once the person is out of the denial phase, all the hidden emotions come out, which can be hard to deal with.
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Anger - Some people might not know how to express their emotions and pain, and end up getting angry at the person who died, the old boss, or the ex. You may realize that the person you are angry at is not to blame, but the feeling of loss is too great to be dealt with. Once the anger subsides, people start thinking clearly and feel the emotions that they have been pushing aside all this time.
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Bargaining - In this stage of grieving, people look for a way to regain control or to change the outcome of the events that lead to grief. They keep thinking about the things they could have done or think about ways that the unfortunate incident could have been avoided. Most individuals make deals or promises with God in exchange for relief from their feelings.
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Depression - This is a quiet stage of grief. Here, people try to isolate themselves to cope with the loss, which can be difficult and overwhelming. You may feel confused and foggy. Depression is inevitable after any loss, but you should come out of it eventually. If you feel stuck and start having suicidal thoughts, consult a mental health professional immediately.
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Acceptance - Acceptance does not really mean that the person is happy or has moved past the grief or loss, but it means that the individual has accepted the loss to be a part of his or her life now.
What Are Different Forms of Grief?
Various forms of grief exist, highlighting the diverse and intricate nature of the grieving process.
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Anticipatory Grief: Anticipatory grief occurs before the actual loss, such as grieving when informed of a terminal illness in oneself or a loved one. This early grieving can help prepare for the eventual loss, but it is essential to balance it with cherishing present moments.
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Abbreviated Grief: Occasionally, individuals navigate the grieving journey swiftly, known as abbreviated grief. This can occur after anticipatory grief, where prior emotional preparation expedites the grieving process. A brief grieving period does not diminish the significance of the loss; it reflects diverse timelines in our grief experiences.
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Delayed Grief: Rather than experiencing grief-related emotions immediately after a loss, these feelings may arise days, weeks, or even months later. Sometimes, the shock of the loss delays emotional processing, while in other cases, practical tasks such as funeral arrangements may occupy the attention until they address their emotions.
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Inhibited Grief: Inhibited grief occurs when emotions are suppressed, often due to a lack of understanding or recognition of the complex feelings associated with grief. Many individuals repress their emotions without realizing it, as they may not have learned how to navigate or identify these emotions during the grieving process. Consequently, unexpressed grief can manifest as physical symptoms such as digestive issues, sleep disturbances, anxiety, or even panic attacks.
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Cumulative Grief: Cumulative grief involves simultaneously processing multiple losses. For instance, grieving the loss of a child alongside the end of a subsequent marriage adds complexity to the grieving process, presenting unexpected challenges.
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Collective Grief: While grief is often viewed as an individual experience, collectives also undergo grieving processes. Significant events such as wars, natural disasters, school shootings, and pandemics bring widespread losses that redefine societal norms. As a collective, we mourn shared experiences lost, grappling with envisioning a transformed future..
What Are the Complications of Grief?
Complicated grief can cause mental, physical, and emotional complications like:
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Suicidal thoughts.
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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
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Sleep disturbances.
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Heart diseases.
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Alcohol and substance abuse.
What Is the Duration of Grief?
The American Psychological Association (APA) outlines grief as typically lasting from six months to two years, with symptoms gradually improving over time. However, it is crucial to understand that grief does not adhere to strict timelines; each person's grieving process is unique and ongoing. Seeking support from a grief counselor or therapist can be beneficial if coping with loss becomes challenging and affects daily life.
How to Cope with Grief?
The following tips may help one cope:
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Learn to manage stress.
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Get enough rest, eat healthily, and exercise.
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Physical activity will help relieve stress, depression, and anxiety.
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Do not isolate. Stay connected with family and friends.
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Join a support group.
It is important to acknowledge and accept the loss, as rejecting and trying to keep your emotions bottled up might be unhealthy. And if you feel you or a friend is not able to come to terms with the loss of a loved one, and if it is affecting the daily activities, get help from psychiatrists online.
Conclusion
Grief is a universal human experience stemming from loss, encompassing various emotions such as sadness, anger, and emptiness. While each person's journey through grief is unique, seeking support and understanding can facilitate healing and adaptation to life's changes