Bereavement, Grief & Loss

Almost all of us will experience loss at some point in our lives. Grief is a reaction to different types of loss. Bereavement however is a type of grief as a result of the death of a loved one. Grief and bereavement are made up of an array of feelings from profound sadness to denial, regret or perhaps anger.

All of us can deal with a significant loss very differently – there is no right or wrong way to grief. Everyone grieves in their own way and in their own time. It may also depend on an individual’s background, beliefs, and the extent of the relationship that was lost. Some individuals are more emotional than others. Additionally one of the challenges associated with grieving the loss of a loved one – whether due to their death or the end of a relationship – is adjusting to the new reality of living in the absence of the loved one. Adjusting to a “new normal”, which may involve developing or obtaining a new routine, imagining a new future, or adopting, in some ways, a new version of yourself.

Emotional Impact of Loss

Profound sadness and emotional pain
Feelings of hopelessness and an emptiness
Longing to be reunited with the deceased loved one
Constant thoughts about the deceased or around their death
Detachment and disinterest from friends and/or family
Difficulty engaging in happy memories of the lost person
A lesser sense of identity
Reduced interest or motivation to pursue personal hobbies and interests or to make plans

Physical Impact of Loss

Sleep problems and fatigue
Reduced appetite for food
Body aches and pains
Reduced immunity
Physical impact of unhealthy coping mechanisms (e.g . increased consumption of alcohol, cigarettes, medication, drugs)

How counselling and psychotherapy can help with grief and loss

It’s important to understand that grief is a normal part of experiencing loss. However some suggest that unexpressed grief does not go away. If not dealt with, it bubbles up and seeps out in physical and emotional states such as those outlined above. Counselling and therapy offers a warm, empathic, confidential and safe space in which the therapist and you collaboratively work towards working through your different feelings and thoughts associated with your loss. It can also help to develop coping strategies to help better manage the loss and the different symptoms that may have an impact on you.

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