If you’ve lost someone or something you love or care deeply about it can be very painful. You may experience all kinds of difficult emotions, and it may feel like the pain and sadness you’re experiencing will never go away. These are normal reactions. While there is no right or wrong way to grieve, there are healthy ways to cope with the pain that, in time, can help you feel a renewed sense of health and that can support you in moving on.
Grief is a natural response to loss. It’s the emotional suffering you feel when something or someone you love is taken away. The more significant the loss, the more intense the grief will be. Any loss can cause grief: divorce or breakup, illness, miscarriage, losing a job, loss of financial stability, loss of a friendship and more. Even what seem like subtle losses can lead to grief, like moving away from home, graduating from college and retiring from a career you loved.
Everyone grieves differently. Grieving is a very personal and individual experience. How you grieve depends on many factors, including your personality and coping style, your life experiences, faith and the nature of the loss. And the grieving process takes time because healing happens gradually, with no normal timetable. Some people start to feel better in weeks or months, for others it may take years. Whatever you are experiencing, it’s important to be patient with yourself and get help if your feelings are overwhelming.
If grief is stopping you or someone you know from functioning at home or at work, if it’s affecting your relationships or impeding your ability to function from day to day, you may need help. Many grief counselors and therapists specialize in helping people work through grief so that it stays under control and doesn’t stop you from moving on.
Resources
Westside Behavioral Care: Find a Therapist in Denver or Nearby