Dealing With Grief: Personal Pathways
The process of grief is very unique to the individual that experiences it. Grief is a response to loss: job loss, divorce, separation, retirement and most commonly the death of a loved one. Grief is deep mental anguish. We grieve because we love. We grieve because life is disrupted. Grieving is our minds trying to wrap itself around the situation and trying its best to adjust. Psychiatrist, Elizabeth Kubler-Ross conducted a study and introduced the 5 stages of grief which are denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Many people took these stages as a general way that all people grieve in that exact order.
(The Five Stages of Grief) Retrieved on 10/03/14 From M5 Link: http://m5.paperblog.com/i/53/539549/the-natural-healing-process-dealing-with-grie-L-s68Hqq.jpeg
There isn’t a particular order people go through, and all people may not experience every stage. Grieving is indeed an emotional roller coaster.
Ex. Emotional numbness, intense sadness, bargaining, anger, guilt, denial, depression and acceptance. Sometimes certain stages last a long time; they may cause even more problems in your life. Fortunately, there are some ways that you can cope with the grieving process.
- Use your support system to your advantage. Use your family and friends whenever you feel alone and helpless. Seek their comfort.
- Talk it out with your loved ones. This will act as an emotional release.
- Attend a grief counseling group and/or see a psychologist. The professionals can adequately help you through the process.
- Be sure to take care of your physical state and it will, in turn benefit your mental state. Eat right. Sleep well. Exercise. Those are the three secrets to a better physical and mental life.
- Confront your feelings and deal with it. If ignored, it may have a very have a harsher and negative effect.
- Find support within your faith. Use the teachings and guides and people of your faith to help you through.
Never rely solely on yourself to get through the grieving process. Remember, you are not alone and there are many people that have gone through or are going through a similar experience. When all else fails I strongly advise seeking professional help. Just know that you will get through it with time.
Written By: Tashira Merritt
Disclaimer: The EGL Wellness blog does not create a doctor/patient relationship. The information provided is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All text on this site is informational and for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this site. Any advice or information provided on the site is provided on an “as-is” basis. No warranties either expressed or implied, are made on the information provided.