Grief

Grief is a response to the loss of someone or something that has died.

Losing someone important or something with sentimental value is not easy for anyone. An emotional response is inevitable, and that response can turn into grief almost immediately.

Symptoms

Grieving for someone of something is part of a natural process, and everyone experiences and deals with grief differently.

However, some of the most identifiable symptoms of grief are:

• Sadness (intense)
• Crying
• Shock
• Feeling Numb
• Anger
• Guilt
• Denial
• Exhaustion and tiredness
• Insomnia
• Feeling Sick
• Loss or increase of appetite
• Depression
• Anxiety including Panic attacks
• Lack of concentration
• Feeling ill with headaches, chest pains, muscle aches

Coming to terms with the loss and understanding the process on your own is important, keeping some space to sort your emotions is a good thing. It takes some time to accept and move on. Some people take less time than others. Those who move on can still feel grief at a later time.

If you have difficulty coping with your grief and it starts to affect your daily life, then it is a good idea to see an Ahmeys healthcare professional.

Treatment for Grief

There are steps you can take to help the process of grieving.

• Talk about it:                                                                                                                                                                                               One of the most important steps for treating Grief is to talk about it. You may find talking to a friend of family member helps. If  you do not feel comfortable talking to someone close to you, then your GP is also a good person to approach.
• Time to grieve:                                                                                                      Grieving is a process, so you need to allow yourself time to feel sad. There is no need to rush yourself or force yourself to move on.
• Self-Medicating is not ok:                                                                                                            Self-medicating to numb the pain can include drugs and alcohol. In the long run, this will only make you feel worse and cause extra damage to your health.
• Routine Helps:                                                                                                                                                                                Although taking some time off at the start can be a good idea, it is important to get back into your routine as soon as possible. Sitting at home or keeping yourself isolated will not help. Keeping a normal routine can help you get through the day more easily.
• Rest: Grieving can be exhausting both mentally and physically so make sure you get plenty of rest.
• Stay Healthy:Keeping healthy is beneficial no matter the situation, but doing so helps you cope with your emotions better and prevents comfort eating. Exercising is proven to boost your mood, so it's important to keep active when you can.

If you need further help, visit us at Ahmeys so we can discuss additional options such as referral to a counsellor or psychologist.