GRIEVING THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE
What is Normal?

Do you wonder if you will ever enjoy life again? Do you feel like you are going crazy or losing it? You are not. You grieve because you love and this is normal.

Normal grief throws your life into chaos – mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. It is painful and harder then you thought it would be. Knowing the normal signs of grief and loss will help you hang on to hope and the belief that healing will come.

Here are some normal reactions to grief and loss:

• Mixed up bundle of emotions
• Forgetfulness
• Time distortion
• Hopelessness
• Disorganization and confusion
• Trouble concentrating
• Fatigue
• Changes in appetite
• Sleep disruption
• Anxious, sad, apathy, fearful, teary, angry
• Lack of motivation
• Little or no zest for life
• Questioning existence, life and death

This is a time to be gentle with yourself. There is no quick fix or microwave solution as it takes time and effort to heal.

The loss of a loved one is not an event; it is a process, a journey. And you do not have to go it alone, and I do not recommend that you do. Seek out help from others, attend a grief support group, and contact The Well Clinical Counseling Center to talk to a therapist who can gently assist you in your grief journey.

Patricia (Patty) Behrens, LMFT