It was a difficult 2014, a year framed by grief and incomprehension and a lot to have left one feeling sad, angry, anxious and numb over.

Grief is a natural response to loss. It might be the loss of a loved one, loss of a relationship, something important to you, for example: miscarriage, death of a pet, loss of employment, separation from family and friends, children grieving in divorce, grief when a stranger/ celebrity or public figure dies, terminal illness, a tragic accident with loss of lives or a way of life. Grief is expressed in many ways and it can affect every part of your life. Some common reactions to grief include, but are not limited to: Feeling sad, frequent crying, shock, denial, confusion, exhaustion, anger, feeling guilty, blame, loneliness, withdrawal, physical health problems, hard to concentrate, not enjoying usual activities, relationship problems, increased alcohol/drug use and feelings of hopelessness.

Everyone experiences grief differently. The intensity, duration and reaction will vary for every person. Some people will express their emotions outwardly whilst others will experience their grief more internally. Some people may grieve for weeks and months, while others may describe their grief lasting for years. Through the process of grief however one begins to create new experiences and habits that work around your loss.

Adapted from Swiss Psychiatrist, Kuebler Ross in 1969, her model identifies the five stages of grieving.

The five stages of grief do not necessarily occur in any specific order. One often moves back and forth, the stages, or skips a stage throughout ones grieving and before achieving a more peaceful acceptance of death. Many of us are not afforded the luxury of time required to achieve the final stage of grief (Reference Julie Axelrod)

Most people find that with the support of their family and friends and their own resources, they gradually find ways to learn to live with their loss, and they do not need to seek professional help. For some people, however, circumstances of the death may have been particularly distressing, such as a traumatic or sudden death, or there may be circumstances in their life which make their grief particularly acute or complicated. It is important to get support or seek professional help.

How to help yourself:

How to help someone you know who is experiencing grief:

How to help someone you know who is experiencing grief:

Reference

Axelrod, J. (2006). The 5 Stages of Loss and Grief. Psych Central. Retrieved on February 2, 2015, from https://psychcentral.com/lib/the-5-stages-of-loss-and-grief/000617
Image credit: https://caregiversconnect.sg/content/five-stages-grief