Grief is a natural response to losing someone or something that’s important to you. You may feel a variety of emotions, including anger, sadness, or loneliness. You may also experience physical symptoms, such as fatigue, insomnia, or appetite changes.
Grief is not a sign of weakness or a mental disorder. It is a normal and healthy way of coping with loss.
Stages of Grief:
The stages of grief are a common framework for understanding and describing the emotional experience of loss. The most widely known model was proposed by psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in her 1969 book On Death and Dying. She suggested that we go through five distinct stages after the loss of a loved one:
Denial - Anger - Bargaining - Depression - Acceptance
However, these stages are not linear, and some people may not experience any of them. They are also not exclusive to death-related losses, but can apply to any significant change or transition in life.
Another model of grief was developed by psychologist William Worden in his 1991 book Grief Counseling and Grief Therapy. He proposed four tasks of mourning that people need to accomplish in order to heal from loss:
Accepting the reality of the loss
Working through the pain of grief
Adjusting to life without the deceased
Finding a connection with the deceased while moving on with life
Is There a Normal Grief Period?
There is no definitive answer to how long grief lasts or when it ends. Grief is a personal and individual process that varies from person to person and from loss to loss.
Some factors that may influence the duration and intensity of grief include the nature and meaning of the loss, the relationship with the deceased, the circumstances of the death, the personality and coping style of the bereaved, the social and cultural context, and the availability of support.
Generally speaking, most people experience acute grief in the first weeks or months after a loss. This type of grief is characterized by intense and fluctuating emotions, such as shock, disbelief, anger, guilt, sadness, anxiety, and fear. Acute grief may also impair one's ability to function normally in daily life. However, over time, most people adapt to the loss and find ways to cope with their grief. This type of grief is called integrated grief or adaptive grief. It does not mean that one forgets or stops loving the deceased, but rather that one learns to live with the loss and find joy in life again.
Prolonged Grief Disorder (ICD-11 6B42)
Prolonged grief disorder (PGD) is a mental health condition that occurs when a person has difficulty moving on from their loss after a prolonged period of time (usually more than 6-12 months). PGD is characterized by persistent and severe symptoms of grief that interfere with one's functioning and well-being.
Some of these symptoms include:
Identity disruption: feeling that one's sense of self or purpose has been lost or changed by the death
Marked sense of disbelief: having trouble accepting or acknowledging the reality or finality of the loss
Avoidance: avoiding reminders or memories of the deceased or the circumstances of the death
Emotional pain: experiencing intense sorrow, longing, or pining for the deceased
Difficulty with reintegration: having trouble adjusting to life without the deceased or finding meaning or satisfaction in life
Loneliness: feeling isolated or detached from others or feeling that no one understands one's grief
PGD is not a normal or healthy response to loss. It can have negative consequences for one's physical and mental health, such as increased risk of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts or behaviors, chronic illness, and impaired quality of life.
Treatment Options:
PGD can be treated with various interventions that aim to help the person process their loss, cope with their emotions, rebuild their identity, reconnect with others, and find hope for the future.
Some examples of these interventions are:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): a form of psychotherapy that helps the person identify and challenge negative thoughts and beliefs about their loss and themselves
Bereavement support groups: a type of group therapy that provides a safe and supportive environment for people who share similar experiences of loss
Complicated grief therapy (CGT): a specialized form of CBT that focuses on resolving complicated aspects of grief, such as traumatic memories or unresolved conflicts with the deceased
Medications: antidepressants or other drugs that may help reduce symptoms of depression or anxiety associated with PGD. These are usually not required.
Sleep problems: improving sleep hygiene and seeking treatment for insomnia or other sleep disorders that may worsen PGD.
Conclusion:
So what we have learned is that grief is a normal human emotional response to loss of a loved one or a dear object. However there is a certain limit to the intensity and duration of the grief period beyond which it can be problematic and may even escalate to Prolonged Grief Disorder.
If you are struggling with prolonged grief disorder or any other form of complicated grief, please seek professional help as early intervention can save one from a lot of complications down the line. Remember there is no shame in asking for help if you are finding it difficult to come to terms with a personal loss.
Comments