Different People Cope Differently With Grief

Monday, January 25, 2010, 11:48

Grief of any sort, be it the death of a loved one, a job loss, a divorce or an illness, affects different people differently. Grief is a normal reaction to any loss.

People who are grieving experience many different emotions in any number of combinations, including denial, sadness, anger, confusion, despair and even guilt. Physical reactions can include sleeping problems, changes in appetite, a drop in energy level, body aches or development or worsening of an illness.

Time spent grieving varies from person to person. Some people take a few month to fully accept or adapt to a loss, while other the not overcome it even after a few years.
Here are some tips to help cope with grief:

Express feelings

Suppressing thoughts and emotions may prevent working through grief. Friends, family or members of the religious community often can be a source of support and comfort. Depending on the magnitude of your grief, you may consult a support groups or grief counselors.

Delay major decisions

Decisions that affect life and lifestyle, such as housing changes or new ways of handling finances, should wait for a while. Advice from a trusted family member or friend, financial adviser or attorney may be helpful.

Take care of health

Eating right, getting adequate sleep and limiting alcohol are important. Regular exercise can relieve stress and anxiety.

Be patient

Expecting to simply 'get over' grief is unrealistic. Ups and downs may last for months or even years, following a loss. Though some feelings of loss may never fully go away, the most intense signs and symptoms of grief typically diminish over time, usually within a period of six months.

Grief that is prolonged may be a sign of depression or post traumatic stress disorder. A doctor should be consulted for treatment.