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GRIEF
Losing a loved one can be devastating. Sometimes normal grief reactions become complicated by depression and others serious problems. If this happens to you, it is best to seek professional help a soon as possible.
Those who have lost a loved one to death, divorce, or estrangement typically experience grief in the form of stages or phases. These phases don't necessarily follow the order described below, and they can all be visited more than once.
- Denial - Our first reaction to shocking news about the loss of life or a relationship is to doubt that the news is true. Because the concept represented by the news is so different from our normal way of thinking, it takes a while, a few hours to a few days, for the reality of our new situation to "sink in".
- Anger - When we begin to realize that the news is true and that it cannot be changed, anger sets in. "Why me?", "What have I done to deserve this?", "How dare he die and leave me all alone like this?"
- Bargaining - Another part of the grief process is attempting to minimize the effects of the trauma by promising to give up something we still retain control over. "God, if you bring her back to me, I promise to serve you for the rest of my life".
- Depression - Eventually we come to the point where we understand ;that all the denying and lashing out and deal making do not have any effect on the unalterable reality of our deep loss. This is depressing, and so we become depressed. Although it doesn't feel this way at the time, this stage is actually a positive development because it means we are nearing the end of the grief process.
- Acceptance - After mourning our loss, we become more ready to move on with the rest our life, even without the person or relationship we have lost. Waves of depression may come, but they are progressively smaller and further apart.
If you are grieving a loss, and especially if you are stuck at some point in the grieving process, call the Center today for an appointment with a professional counselor. You'll be glad you did.
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