Bereavement, which literally means “to be deprived by death” is a process a person goes through after experiencing a major loss. When a person experiences a loss, whether it is the loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, friendship, romantic relationship, or an emotional loss, each individual reacts differently with a wide range of possible emotions.
These emotions may include:
Denial
Disbelief
Confusion
Shock
Sadness
Yearning
Anger
Humiliation
Despair
Guilty
Symptoms of grief can also manifest themselves physically with some people; these symptoms could include stomach pain, loss of appetite, sleep disturbance, or loss of energy. These are common with grief, as mourning can significantly compromise your immune system.
Living with grief can be an extremely difficult process and coping with it can be a challenge. Some tips to help in the grieving process include:
Seeking out people who care
Expressing your feelings
Taking care of your health
Postponing major life events
Being patient
Seeking outside help when necessary
The good news is that you do not need to suffer alone. There are many resources available to assist in the process of grief and bereavement, including professional counseling. Call (215) 487-2349 or email us at Greenridge@intercommunityaction.org for more information about our counseling services, which include one-on-one therapy with a trained clinician.
Written by: Nicole Stewart