How do I know if I am
struggling with grief?
Grief is an inevitable experience that everyone must face, with our brains and bodies designed to process it. Avoiding or refusing to confront grief often leads to more significant issues.
If grief makes it hard to engage in activities or visit places that remind you of your loss, it may indicate you’re struggling. This avoidance can isolate you from support systems and hinder your healing process.
If your grief manifests as anger or irritability rather than sadness, it may suggest unresolved grief. This anger can be directed at yourself, others, or the situation, making it harder to process and move through your grief.
If you are in danger, call 911 now.
Emergency services are available to provide the support and protection you need. Your well-being is paramount, and taking this step can save your life.
We offer compassionate support to help you navigate grief, providing strategies to confront and process your emotions.
Grief should not be avoided. It’s important to understand that grieving isn’t a straightforward process with a set series of steps, as was once thought. Instead, grief involves moving between deep sadness over the loss and learning how to live with that loss. As long as you are experiencing this back-and-forth—having both good days and bad days—you are actively grieving.
The loss of a loved one can be incredibly challenging, but many people navigate the grieving process with support from family and friends. It’s essential to take care of yourself, accept assistance from those close to you, and consider seeking counseling if needed.
Grief typically includes deep sadness, shock, and numbness, and may involve feelings of denial and anger. Over time, the intensity of grief tends to lessen, and episodes of expressed grief, such as crying, become less frequent for most people.
Grief becomes unhealthy when you believe it should eventually stop or that it must be avoided. Remember, grief is the inevitable process of learning to live without someone, and this adjustment impacts not just a month or a year, but your entire life. Grief is a lifelong journey and a fundamental part of the human experience. It reflects our profound and mysterious ability to find meaning in the relationships we form.
Grief can lead to personality shifts, such as heightened irritability, reduced patience, or a diminished tolerance for minor issues. You may experience forgetfulness, difficulties with concentration, and increased isolation, whether by choice or due to circumstances. You might also feel alienated or like an outsider. However, over time, grief can enrich your personality, teaching you valuable lessons and shifting your priorities in life. It can even alter your sense of purpose, helping you grow in unexpected ways.
Allow yourself to fully experience the sadness, pain, discomfort, anger, and loss. Then, focus on how you will live your life without that person. It’s natural to cycle back and forth between these emotions and thoughts. Avoid judging yourself, be quick to forgive yourself, and recognize that coping with grief and living with grief are two different processes.
