As we grow older, everyone experiences loss at some point in their lives. Statistics show that one in five children experiences the death of someone close to them before the age of 18. However, feelings of sadness and loss are not always associated with death and often surface after types of loss including the loss of a loved one, the breakup of a relationship, pregnancy, pet, or job loss.
When people lose something or someone important to them, the feeling of sadness can be immeasurable. Grief has mental, emotional, and physical effects that can leave a person sad, hopeless, isolated, irritable, and paralyzed. It's important to understand that healing from grief is a process, and everyone deals with this emotion differently.
Many people don't know what to say or do when someone is grieving, but please know it's important to be patient with them (including yourself) through the process. If you feel that feelings of grief do not ease over time, consider seeking professional support. My method for addressing grief and loss includes psychotherapy, and through this, a patient may:
- Improve coping skills
- Reduce feelings of blame and guilt
- Explore and process emotions