Signs and Symptoms Associated with Grief

Grief is common emotion, but there is no “normal” way to experience it, nor is there a standard timetable for how long it takes to lessen in severity. It can often be overwhelming to cope with the void left by the loss of a loved one, but recognizing the common hallmarks of grief can help you make sense of your own emotions and aid in the recovery process.

Physical Pain

Intense emotions often have a noticeable impact physical health. Acute grief can cause health effects such as insomnia, heaviness, and aches and pains. Indirect health issues can also arise from a lack of appetite or overall fatigue. Even if you have you have your own way of dealing with your emotions away from others, it is important to seek professional grief counseling if you’re struggling with suicidal thoughts, intense feelings of guilt, and feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness.

Emotional Anxieties

While not everyone feels or expresses emotions the same way, feelings of worry, anxiety, anger, and guilt are universal after a major loss. Contrary to popular belief, grief does not necessarily proceed in stages (denial, anger, bargaining, etc.), but is a lifelong process that can strike unexpectedly. There is no right or wrong way to cope, but it is important to recognize them and deal with them in a healthy and productive manner.

Social Detachment

A major loss can change the way you view the world and leave you feeling alienated from others or behaving differently, making it difficult to reach out to friends or family. If it’s too difficult to rely on the emotional support of those close to you, seeking professional grief counseling can provide an outside perspective on how others deal with grief and how their methods can apply to your life.

Our professionals her at Chapel of the Chimes Oakland understand the difficulty of losing someone special and the importance of providing dignified end-of-life services.  From planning to grief counseling, we’re here to help with flexible services and personalized arrangements. Call (510) 654-0123 with any questions or comments.