Grief

Usually, we experience significant losses in the later stages of life when we have a better understanding of the nature of death and grief. Since grief is an individual experience, people and families can respond to loss in very different ways. However, there are some common experiences that generally accompany grief.

In the first days and weeks after the death of a loved one, people often feel numbness, shock, or heightened anxiety; they may cry constantly or, conversely, be unable to cry at all. Sleep problems and physical anxiety symptoms may arise. Some people can calmly perform practical tasks, which may cause feelings of guilt, as if they do not care enough. This indicates a state of shock, and the actual impact of the death may manifest later. Another person may be unable to cope at all and might need practical and emotional support.