Grief is a normal and natural response to a personal loss that has caused insurmountable pain. It is a multifaceted and complicated emotion that warrants an appropriate level of respect and understanding. This emotion is often seen as an amalgamation of feelings, memories and sensations that manifest themselves in various ways depending on the individual. The experience of grief will differ for each person and can manifest itself in physical, emotional, and psychological forms. For example, a person may experience physical changes in the body resulting from grief such as insomnia, fatigue, and changes in appetite. People typically feel intense emotions such as sadness, guilt, anger, and despair after the death of a loved one. Additionally, grief can lead to emotional and psychological changes in a person such as feeling overwhelmed, lost, helpless, and out of control.

In most cases, grief refers to the loss of a loved one due to death, but in the mental health field we also recognize that grief symptoms can appear any time a significant loss occurs. This might include the loss of a pet or losses associated with changes in your health, moving away, starting a new chapter of your life, losing a job, ending a relationship, missing your past, losing an ability, or even losing your sense of normalcy with regard to your everyday routines.

Anticipatory grief refers to the sense of loss that arises when a person knows that something significant is about to change, but the exact details of the change are not known. This type of grief is frequently experienced by those who are about to go through a major life change. For example, it can be felt in the months, weeks, or even days before a loved one goes off to college, starts a new job, moves away, or gets married. This kind of grief serves to remind us to appreciate the time we have with a person, as life often moves faster than we expect it to.

Grieving is not only an emotional experience, but it is also a social experience. People often need the support of friends and family during a time of loss. Spending time with people who can provide comfort and understanding can be helpful in navigating the journey of grief. Additionally, seeking out therapy or support groups can provide a space for individuals to express their emotions in a contained and therapeutic environment.

It is important to acknowledge that grief looks different for everyone and can be expressed in various ways. Some individuals may find an intense emotional release to be helpful while others prefer to focus on practical tasks to keep themselves occupied. It is important to allow individuals to cope in whatever way they see fit and to not judge or minimize their experience of grief.

Grief is a natural and essential part of the process of acknowledging and accepting the loss. It is important to provide yourself and those around you with space and support to navigate this process in whatever way works for them. Be gentle with yourself and remember that grief is a confusing and difficult emotion and it is important to find ways to care for yourself and express your feelings.