Is This Normal?
Grief and loss can manifest in various ways and understanding when you might need help is crucial for navigating these feelings.
Signs that you might need help with grief and loss include persistent sadness that lingers for an extended period, making it hard to enjoy life, and isolation from friends, family, or activities once enjoyed. Experiencing physical symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, or gastrointestinal problems without a clear medical explanation can also indicate a need for support. Difficulty functioning in daily tasks, intense emotions of overwhelming anger or guilt, substance abuse as a coping mechanism, and thoughts of self-harm are critical signs that should not be ignored. Significant changes in sleep or appetite, as well as complicated grief that feels stuck or unresolved, can indicate the necessity of professional help.
Types of Grief and Loss
Understanding the different types of grief can also be beneficial.
Anticipatory grief occurs before a loss, such as when a loved one is terminally ill or before a big move. Complicated grief is characterized by prolonged and intense feelings that interfere with moving forward after a loss. Another type of grief that can be experienced is disenfranchised grief, when the loss is not socially acknowledged, such as the loss of a pet or maybe a loss you are not sharing with others. Experiencing grief can also be delayed and it can surface long after the event, cumulative grief involves multiple losses in a short period, and chronic grief is a persistent state of mourning that doesn’t improve over time. If you identify with any of these signs or your grief feels overwhelming, reaching out for help can be beneficial, as seeking support is a sign of strength and everyone experiences grief differently.
