Grief

Grief can be painful, overwhelming and frightening. Many people wonder if they are grieving the right way and if their feelings are normal. People who suffer a loss generally experience at least one of the following:

• Anger towards doctors, nurses, God, "the system", self, friends, family, even at their loved one for leaving
• Relief that the loved one is no longer suffering and the caretaking is over
• Sleep pattern changes...mostly insomnia and early waking
• Appetite changes, generally lack of
• Feeling as though nobody understands what you are going through
• Feeling like this major event really didn't happen and is not real
• Feeling the presence of your loved one lost, hearing their voice, seeing their face, expecting them to return at any time
• Wandering around and not accomplishing tasks
• Wanting to end your life
• Physical aches and pains, such as headaches, weakness, upset stomach, lethargy
• Feeling lonely and depressed
• Crying for no reason
• Being obssessed with thoughts of the loved one who has passed
• Feeling the need to not talk about your loss so that others are more comfortable
• The need to go over and over the details remembered about the loved one and the experience of their death
• Inability to concentrate
• Not attending social functions your normally enjoy
  

The above are normal grief responses. You need to cry and talk with people when you feel like it. Learning about the grief process helps you move on toward a healthy readjustment and boosts your emotional energy.