LIVING THROUGH GRIEF

After losing a loved one, it's common to feel like nothing makes sense

- Andrea Black

Anyone who has lost someone close to them will know that grief can feel overwhelming and, at times, like it's never going to end.

Psychotherapist Joanne Wilson says grief can come to us in many ways. "Grief is used to describe feelings and reactions to something devastating in our lives," she explains. "While it is usually associated with death, it can be the result of losing anything we value or care about dearly."

What happens when we grieve? And how can we help a friend or family member through this tough time? Here, Joanne shares her expert advice on loss and grief.

THE STAGES OF GRIEF

The grieving process is a unique experience involving our spiritual, behavioural, emotional and cognitive dimensions. While there are common stages of grief, everyone experiences and feels them differently. These may include:

SHOCK Despite an expected loss, grief can still evoke a sense of numbness and detachment.

DENIAL As we try to make sense of our loss, this can induce a mental fog, causing forgetfulness, a lack of motivation and difficulty making small decisions, such as what to have for breakfast.

ANGER This is a very natural response to the perceived unfairness of our loss.

BARGAINING We may find ourselves seeking reason when there is none to comprehend, or make promises for a chance to make things right again.

DEPRESSION Struggling with a lack of meaning can result in rumination, isolation and a sense of dread.