Grief and Loss

Grief is a strong emotion and may be accompanied by feelings like shock, disbelief, anger, sadness, guilt, and remorse. It’s a natural reaction to loss, whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a home, a relationship, or a change in your personal circumstances.

What Is Grief?

Grief is a deeply personal experience and often described in stages, but it's important to remember that everyone goes through it differently and not always in a straight line. At first, the intense emotional and physical pain of grief and loss can be overwhelming and seemingly uncontrollable. People’s responses to loss are partially dependent on their relationship with the loss, but everyone experiences and reacts to grief differently.

Stages of Grief

  • Denial: Shock and disbelief that the loss has occurred.
  • Anger: Frustration and helplessness, often directed at oneself, others, or the situation.
  • Bargaining: Trying to negotiate a way out of the pain, often through "what if" and "if only" statements.
  • Depression: Deep sadness and despair, realizing the true extent of the loss.
  • Acceptance: Coming to terms with the loss and finding ways to move forward.

Symptoms of Grief

Grief can show up in many ways, including:

  • Emotional Symptoms: Intense sadness, anger, anxiety, guilt, and loneliness.
  • Physical Symptoms: Fatigue, changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, and physical pain.
  • Behavioural Symptoms: Social withdrawal, difficulty concentrating, and loss of interest in
    activities.

Impact on Daily Life

Grief can really shake up our daily routines, affecting personal relationships, work performance, and overall mental health. It’s common to feel isolated or misunderstood, which can make healing even harder.

Coping with Grief

There's no "right" way to grieve, but here are some strategies that might help:

  • Seek Support: Talk about your feelings with friends, family, or support groups for comfort and understanding.
  • Allow Yourself to Grieve: Give yourself permission to feel and express your emotions without judgment.
  • Create a Routine: Establishing a daily routine can bring a sense of normalcy and structure.
  • Take Care of Yourself: Engage in self-care activities like exercise, healthy eating, and getting enough rest.
  • Seek Professional Help: Therapy or counselling can provide tools and strategies to cope with intense emotions.

Raising Awareness

Understanding and acknowledging grief is essential for creating a supportive environment. By raising awareness, we can encourage open conversations about loss, reducing stigma and isolation for those who are grieving. Empathy and compassion can make a significant difference in someone’s healing journey.

If you or someone you know is struggling with grief, it's important to reach out and seek help. Remember, grief is a natural response to loss, and with time and support, it's possible to find a new path forward. Let’s work together to build a compassionate community where everyone’s grief is met with understanding and care.

How Can Growth Psychology Consulting Help You?

At Growth Psychology Consulting, we have a range of psychologists who can help you manage grief. For details on our helpful psychologists, see Our Team

Making an appointment is easy! Call us on 02 9600 6619 to find out more or book now online. 

When you call, a helpful person will answer your enquiry between 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. 

After-hours appointments are available on weeknights up to 8pm. 

Medicare rebates are available to those who are eligible. Rebates can be paid directly into your bank account when sessions are paid for using cash, cheque or EFTPOS.

Private Health funds - Check with your provider to see if you are eligible.