The death of a loved one can have a lasting effect on one's mental and emotional health for months, if not years. The following information will assist you in navigating the grief process.
Regrettable as it is, grief is a part of existence. Almost everyone will face the loss of a loved one at some point, whether it is a family, a friend, a spouse, or a cherished pet. The resulting mental and physical anguish can be severe.
"Grief is a natural process that the vast majority of people must go through," Dr David H. explains. Rosmarin, head of McLean Hospital's Spirituality and Mental Health Program. "Everyone grieves differently and at a different rate, and the process is critical to healing."
Different types of grieving
Sadness, hopelessness, melancholy, wrath, apathy, and guilt are all symptoms of grief. Prolonged grieving can also result in other difficulties, such as memory problems, discomfort and tiredness, and compulsive behaviour, such as getting preoccupied with trivial stuff.
There are several types of grief (some experts place the number as high as 16). However, according to Dr Rosmarin, the majority of people confront one of three scenarios: regular, disenfranchised, or complex. Grieving: A natural process that aids in healing
The distinctions between them are frequently subtle. They frequently appear as how individuals initially react to loss, the depth of their grieving, and the endurance of their mourning. "Each of these three possesses a distinct level of difficulty," Dr Rosmarin adds. "Natural is challenging, disenfranchised is somewhat more challenging, and complicated is the most challenging."
Here is a breakdown of each.
Normal. This is the most frequent kind of grieving, often known as simple grief. Grief often lasts from six months and two to three years.
Disenfranchised. This kind is not often recognized or socially acceptable. It might happen as a result of the death of a pet, a distant acquaintance, or even a stranger. "People believe they lack the right to mourn or that it should be reduced," Dr Rosmarin explains. "By imposing this sort of limitation and timeline on grieving, it might lengthen and exacerbate the process."
Complicated. In many instances, individuals struggle to accept their loss. They withdraw from friends and family and suffer from sadness, loneliness, and paralysis. This complicates healing, and they frequently require the assistance of a therapist. Complicated grief without counselling might continue for several years.
Diverse causes of grief
Grief does not have to be associated with loss. It may occur when someone you care about experiences a lasting setback, such as dementia, stroke, or cancer. Grief may also be triggered by the loss of a relationship, a move to a new location, or any other type of personal separation.
Appropriate mourning
When it comes to sadness, the adage "time cures all wounds" is partially accurate. It may be a quick and rather easy operation for individuals. For others, the trip is lengthy and difficult. Even after the mourning phase has passed, the sentiments may resurface on anniversaries, birthdays, or other occasions that evoke recollections of the individual.
There is only so much we can do to help people manage their grief, according to Dr Rosmarin. "The most effective approach to cope with loss is to seek ways to make the mourning and healing processes less difficult." The following are some possibilities.
Acknowledge your sadness. Allow yourself to mourn. "Do not confine it within and hope it goes gone," Dr Rosmarin advises. "Focusing solely on external pressures rather than internal feelings and repressing emotions exacerbates the grief process and makes it more difficult to go through."
Preserve keepsakes. Keeping mementoes of a person is a perfectly natural and healthy behaviour. "It's a method to maintain that relationship link and his or her memory as you grieve," Dr Rosmarin explains.
Accept the individual's community. Make contact with that person's social network – relatives, friends, neighbours, and coworkers — even if you are unfamiliar with them. "Gathering information about the individual from others and exchanging tales aids everyone in the process," Dr Rosmarin explains. "Plus, anyone may take on the role of a listener, which is really useful for those in grief."
Consult with others who have experienced loss. You might know someone who has suffered a similar loss. Inquire as to how they grieved. "Listening to another person's viewpoint might provide insight into how to handle one's own sadness," Dr Rosmarin explains.
Investigate spirituality. Spirituality, in all of its manifestations, maybe a potent healer. "Contemplating the natural progression of life and death may be extremely transformational," Dr Rosmarin explains. "It may even help you accept the loss more readily if you embrace your own mortality."
Sources: Health.Harvard.
