There are many reasons why grief occurs throughout life, including illness, the end of a relationship, and death. Dealing with grief is painful, and yet can cause even more discomfort in the long run if not faced in the present. There is more than one way to handle grief, and most of these ways can be used in conjunction to move more quickly through the healing process.
Function
The purpose of grieving is to let go of the person or situation that is no longer a part of one's life, or, if ill, to let go of the way life used to be. Only by sitting with and working through the pain of loss can a person begin to heal. As Edward Creagan, M.D., at the Mayo Clinic suggests, without facing grief "wounds may never quite go away." He notes that not acknowledging pain can later lead to "headaches, relationship issues, intestinal problems, mental health difficulties, eating disorders, chemical dependency or other issues."
Symptoms of Grief
There are many ways people experience grief. According to the University of Washington Counseling Center, some of the possible symptoms include difficulty concentrating, apathy, anger, guilt, sleep disturbances, loss of appetite and withdrawal from others. Other possible experiences include numbness, loneliness and loss of life meaning.
Ways To Handle Grief
There are many ways to grieve in a healthy manner. Mourning the loss through a ritual, such as a funeral or other rite of passage, is a good first step. The University of Washington Counseling Center recommends paying attention to eating and sleeping habits, maintaining healthy patterns of both, talking about grief with a trusted friend or professional, keeping a journal and joining a support group.
Other helpful possibilities include taking a yoga class, taking leisurely baths regularly, hiking regularly and participating in stress-relieving techniques such as meditation and acupuncture.
Time Frame
The amount of time it takes to grieve and move on depends on the individual and the situation. The Family Caregiver Alliance states that research shows intense grieving can last anywhere from three months to a year, but that many people's grief can last up to two years or more. They add that "the grieving process depends on the individual's belief system, religion, life experiences, and the type of loss suffered. Prolonged bereavement is not unusual."
If the process seems to be taking longer than it should, obtaining professional help, or seeking a new practitioner, may be in order.
Considerations
The process of grieving has its ups and downs. Several possibilities of extreme reactions to grief include suicidal thoughts, extreme anxiety, substance abuse or post-traumatic stress disorder, according to the Mayo Clinic. If any of these repercussions become a factor, seek a licensed therapist or support group immediately.
