You may be suffering through the process of bereavement after the death of a loved one. You may have lost a parent, a spouse, a child or other family member, a dear friend or a beloved companion animal. You may be grieving over another loss: the loss of a job, an opportunity or a treasured goal. Or you may be grieving the end of a life phase, watching your children leave the nest for college, careers or marriage. You’re happy for them, but sad for you.
Each person reacts to loss in his or her own ways, depending on the circumstances and the relationship involved. But there are some common signs of grief that are physical, emotional and social.
A few common symptoms in these categories are:
Physical
- Crying
- Headaches
- Loss of appetite
- Difficulty sleeping
- Weakness
- Fatigue
Emotional
- Feelings of sadness and yearning
- Feelings of worry or anger
- Feelings of frustration or guilt
Social
- Feeling detached from others
- Self-isolation from social contact
- Behaving in ways that are not normal for you
Every grieving experience is different. A person may be able to continue his or her day-to-day routine after one loss, yet not be able to get out of bed after another loss. Whatever your personal symptoms are, grief and bereavement counseling can help.