Grief is a normal reaction to a loss of someone or something important to you. Loss can be very tangible, such as a person or animal, or it might be more abstract such as the loss of independence or loss of a dream once valued. All loss is followed by a unique process of ups and downs such as:

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• Feelings of sadness, anger, numbness, or irritability

• Denial or disbelief

• Social isolation or withdrawal

• Desire to be dead in order to reunite with a loved one

• Inappropriate guilt or self blame

• Avoidance of reminders of the loss

• Hopelessness or emptiness

 

While grief is not a mental health condition in an of itself, the devastation of a loss can lead to the overall reduction in quality of life, and leave people feeling paralyzed or out of control. A therapist who speacilizes in grief and loss can help guide you through your unique grieving process in a why that allows you to feel supported and understood along the way.