Losing a loved one is never easy. And although some people may have coping mechanisms that enable them to get back to their normal life, this process can be exceptionally difficult for other individuals. If you do not get the necessary help, grief could end up bringing your own life to a standstill and affect your lifestyle, your productivity and even your relationships with others. Fortunately, you do not have to struggle through this alone. This article illustrates the stages of grief that you can expect as well as how seeking professional counselling could help you with the process no matter which specific stage you are in.
The stages of grief
- Denial: You are in shock that your loved one has passed away, and the degree of this denial can vary from one person to another.
- Guilt: You could be thinking there are things that you should have or should not have done or said before your loved one passed on.
- Anger: This is also referred to as the bargaining stage, where people often try to reason with their higher power or the universe about what they would do if they could simply have their loved one back.
- Depression: At this point, you are coming to terms with the fact that your loved one is not coming back, and you could develop reclusive tendencies or harmful behaviour.
- Reconstruction: You are slowly getting back in touch with reality and the fact that life has to progress without your loved one anymore.
- Acceptance: This stage brings about hope for the future as you start to realise that life is still worth living.
How counselling can help
Aiding you in focusing back on your life: When some individuals are grieving, it is easy for them to forget themselves. They end up being so wrapped up in their loss that they cannot summon the energy to engage in mundane day-to-day tasks. Grief counselling can help you navigate through the negative emotions that you are experiencing while still being able to be meet the demands of your daily life.
Grieving at your own pace: The duration in which people spend their time in mourning is not the same. Thus, some people who take longer through the process may feel like they are being judged. On the other hand, some individuals may start to feel guilty that they have moved on faster than usual. A grief counsellor can help you grieve at your own pace by aiding in healthily purging your emotions. Some of the tools they could arm you with include meditation, journaling and more.