Understanding Bereavement | What Is Happening To Me?

Unfortunately, loss is a natural part of life. Although it is something each of us experiences at some point, it is almost always a challenging experience.

Each of us experiences grief differently, and there is no “right way” to do it.

However, knowing the general phases of grief and what to expect can be helpful so we are not caught off guard when we begin to feel new things, such as anger or depression.

What Is Bereavement?

Bereavement is the the period of mourning we experience after a loss. We can grieve the the physical death of a loved one, but we can also grieve the death of a relationship, or the loss of a job, the loss of a home, or the loss of some other type of familiar comfort. In any case, these losses cause us to feel new things, and adapt accordingly. This can be a very fragile period, but the team at EmotionMatters is here to educate, and support you.

What Is Happening To Me?

Denial

You do not want to believe this loss is real, because it seems impossible to imagine.

Guilt

You may feel like the loss is somehow your fault, and that thought might cause severe amounts of emotional pain.

Anger

You are angry that you are left behind to suffer the emotional pain of loss. You may even ask yourself why it had to be your loved one instead of yourself.

Depression

As you come to terms with the fact that the person is gone you may feel isolated, like there will always be a hole that only your loved one could fill. This may leave you feeling helpless, but remember, this is just one stage of grief, and help is out there.

An Upward Turn

Things begin to feel more manageable. Over time, you adapt to these new feelings and you become accustomed to a new life.

Working Through

Learning to live without that person and working through your grief. In this stage, we begin to use our negative feelings for good purposes. For example, if you lost our friend in a drunk driving accident, you may start an organisation to raise awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence.

Acceptance

Being able to move forward with your life. This does not mean you do not think about the loss, but it does mean that it no longer affects your daily life. You are at peace with the situation.

What Can EmotionMatters Do For You?

Our friendly team of therapists are here to offer clarity and support on the road to acceptance after the loss of something significant in your life. Our team provides a safe space to tell your story, and services to help you achieve peace of mind.