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<<Back                                                                                   Originally published in Gainesville Family Magazine     .pdf version

COPING WITH LOSSvermont lilies - all rights reserved Ernest J. Bordini, Ph.D.

by Janet Frank, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist

edited with revisions 1/3/12 by Ernest J. Bordini, Ph.D.

All Rights Reserved: Clinical Psychology Associates of North Central Florida
2121 NW 40th Terrace, Suite B, Gainesville, FL 32605
(352) 336-2888  CPANCF.COM


The classic book on grief– On Death and Dying, by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, 1969, dealt with terminally ill individuals. Her theories and stages of grief have since been expanded, depending on the situation.

Most basic theoretical stages of grief:

1. Denial and Isolation: shock, numbness, disbelief. “This can’t have happened.” This reaction is a person buying the necessary time to prepare for reacting to a loss.

2. Anger: at being left behind, at the person who left, at the world, at oneself for surviving or not having prevented it. Can include rage, envy, resentment. People may also feel anxious or fearful in this stage.

3. Bargaining: Talking to God. If you’ll just let me live, I’ll ____. If you’ll just bring him/her back, I’ll ____.

4. Depression: sadness, loneliness, crying, decreased appetite, irritable, poor sleep, low motivation, low energy,
guilt. You may feel drained.

5. Acceptance: recognition that one’s life goes on

Important things to recognize about these stages:

---- Not everyone goes through every stage.

---- Not everyone goes through them in the same order. Some are skipped, some repeated.

---- Grief is an individual process. Not everyone cries. Not everyone talks about their feelings.

----- Reactions can be physical, behavioral, cognitive, or spiritual.

----- No one can tell you how to do it. There are no “supposed to’s.”

----- No one can tell you how to feel or not to feel.

----- No one can tell you when to be finished grieving. When they do, it’s usually a reflection of their own discomfort.

Common reactions when someone dies suddenly or tragically may include guilt, nightmares or trouble sleeping, intrusive thoughts or recollections of the person, startling easily, feeling numb, avoidance of anything that is a reminder of the person, physical illness, self-blame.

Sometimes we are reminded of other painful losses we have experienced in the past. These kinds of reactions are fairly common and usually resolve within a few weeks. If these symptoms are present for longer than a few weeks, especially if they are disruptive to daily activities, seeking professional help may be in order.

Basic things to do for self-care while grieving:

1. Pay particular attention to your body.

2. Get adequate sleep.

3. Exercise when able.

4. Eat three balanced meals a day if at all possible.

Many of us neglect our bodies, but our bodies need to be nurtured, especially during times of stress.

5. If you want to talk, talk.

6. Consider getting your feelings out by writing in a journal.

Some people find solace in creating a ritual to honor the person’s memory, such as releasing balloons with a letter attached. Some have buried letters, flowers, pictures, or cherished reminders of the person (but do not bury something you would want to keep).

7. Seek support in friends, families, or professionals.

If the above is not enough, Call Hospice to see what resources may be available, call clergy, or seek professional support from a licensed psychologist if needed.

Use support organizations that are publicly available. Tampa, for example, has the Elena Tresh Foundation, which was formed by Jennifer Tresh in order to provide assistance to families dealing with terminal cancer or other catastrophic illnesses.

Recognize that eventually you will feel more like yourself again. Human beings are remarkably resilient. Time heals.

Please do not hesitate to call Clinical Psychology Associates of North Central Florida if you think it would be helpful.  We have offices in Gainesville and Ocala, FL

If symptoms persist for an extended period of time and there is interference with sleep, mood, appetite, concentration, and daily functioning, talking to a counselor and  a psychological assessment to rule out depression would be recommended. 

Related Article:   Helping your Children Cope with Pet Loss

The author of this artice andClinical Psychology Associates of North Central Florida. do not endorse nor offer and representations or warranties regarding any products or books linked to this page or website.

 
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