Grief is not indicative of a mental disorder. It is a complicated, intense series of emotions, always shifting shape, coming in cyclical waves, and sometimes triggered even years after the loss has passed.
Grief is an experience unique to each individual. It is unique to each particular loss, and there is no right or wrong way to grieve. Grief can come in cycles, where an individual feels sure that they’ve seen to completion every stage and element of their grief, experience a reprieve, regain some sense of normalcy, and then suddenly the grief unexpectedly hits them again like a wound cut afresh.
Other times, grief can come in big waves. Waves that hit hard and fast, then recede, only to return again with the same intensity.
While there are some identifiable stages of grief, there is no set, definite, universal experience of them. There is no right or wrong intensity at which to feel them, and there is no wrong or right amount of time to spend feeling them. In that same vein, there is nothing that dictates that all and any stages of grief won’t reemerge or repeat themselves over time.
Grief is a fluid experience of mixed emotions. Sometimes unrecognizable ones that only a counselor can help one work through. Some feelings may need to be readdressed and re-processed as we move through different stages of our lives.
Grief can sometimes present as denial, anger, despair, numbness, or mania. Or as depression, anxiety, sudden personality changes, confusion, fear, and guilt. Grief is a mixed bag of all these feelings and more.
When the grief of a loss hits, or an individual is suffering anticipatory grief preceding the impending loss of a loved one, the onset of disorganization, fatigue, changes in focus, appetite, and sleep all need creative methods of counseling to manage.
Personal loss can change an individual’s life at a fundamental level and in unforeseeable ways. Interpersonal relationships can change drastically or fizzle out, unions can suffer, and friendships can struggle. Work and academic standards can take hits as well, and to keep yourself functional, stable, and well, grief counseling may be necessary.
There is no replacing a loved one lost. But there are ways to cope with the absence their departure leaves, a way to manage oneself and one’s grief so that the grief does not overtake an individual’s life.
If you want the help of a trained professional as you process grief as it’s occurring, or you’re already in the aftermath and your life feels like it’s lost purpose, focus, or direction, or that you yourself have lost control of how much the grief is affecting you, reach out for help.
We will never rush you through any stage of grief. We are here to validate your experiences, and while healing from the trauma of personal loss is an element of treatment, we are most concerned with making sure you know you are not alone, and that you can have joy again.
When you’re ready, contact us and schedule an appointment, and we will work through the grief together.
Tired of struggling with your grief? If you’re ready to face your emotions, counseling could help you. At Informed Therapy Group in Atlanta Georgia, you will work with our therapists to receive the support and guidance needed to ease your grief symptoms. If you’re ready to find support in grief counseling, then follow these simple steps:
At Informed Therapy Group our team can help you with more than just your grief. In addition to grief counseling, our online practice offers therapy for stress management, anxiety therapy, and depression therapy. We also specialize in couples therapy, pregnancy counseling, and postpartum therapy. To learn more about Informed Therapy read our FAQs, and our blog!
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Everyone deserves the opportunity to feel safe and supported in the therapeutic alliance.