It is important to give yourself space to grieve when you are experiencing a loss. This space may be limited by other events in your life such as caring for loved ones or going back to work sooner than you would like. Grief is not simply sadness, though; you may experience many different emotions, and these will change over time. Luckily, there are many ways to cope with grief, including separating the feelings you are experiencing from the thoughts you are thinking.
Complicated grief
A person who has suffered a tragic loss usually experiences many symptoms that are indicative of complicated grief and loss. A person experiencing acute grief is likely to be sad and confused. He or she may have difficulty eating, sleeping, or functioning in daily life. Physical symptoms, such as pain and dizziness, may also occur. Prolonged symptoms suggest complicated grief. For instance, if you experience persistent headaches or dizziness after the death, it could be a sign of complicated grief.
People suffering from complicated grief may have trouble reintegrating into society, find it difficult to resume work or school, or maintain relationships. They may also avoid certain activities. It is important to remember that the physical symptoms of complex grief can impact a person's mental health, as well. It is also important to seek help if you are experiencing any of these symptoms. It is important to seek professional help as early as possible, so you can address the problem before it has a chance to damage your health.
Tonkin's theory
Growing around grief is Dr. Lois Tonkin's theory of grief and loss. This theory challenges the belief that time heals all wounds. While time may help some people heal, it doesn't always help others. This theory was inspired by a conversation a bereaved woman had with Dr. Tonkin. The model encourages bereaved people to grow around their grief. Instead of waiting for time to heal, the grieving process begins by integrating loss into their life.
There are several aspects to this model. It challenges the notion that grief diminishes over time, and suggests that it never completely goes away. Instead, it starts out intense and persists until the person is emotionally strong enough to move on. While it may be difficult to let go of a loved one, the bereaved person continues to grow in the presence of their grief. Moreover, the model proposes that the loss can have an effect on the bereaved person's quality of life.
Mourning
If you are grieving the death of a loved one, you may feel a second loss when you realize that your friend or family member is not here to celebrate his or her life. If this happens, you may have to make a calendar reminder to check in with them on holidays, birthdays, and random days. The best way to support your friend and family member during this difficult time is to be there for them.
You should familiarize yourself with the stages of grief and loss. By doing this, you will be able to normalize your experience. In particular, it will help you cope with complicated grief, which is typically caused by traumatic losses, multiple losses at once, or an insecure attachment style. Psychology Today's article on attachment styles offers some tips to help you better understand what grief is all about. And when you're ready to talk about your feelings, you can try the suggestions in this book.
Treatment options
There are several different treatment options for grief and loss, including psychotherapy. A common approach is complex grief therapy, which draws on the attachment theory and cognitive-behavioral therapy. The focus of this therapy is to identify the complications of grief and loss and help the person adapt to it. This therapy is very effective, and it has been studied in approximately 70 percent of the people who suffer from prolonged grief. Listed below are some of the more popular treatments:
Complex grief may be a sign of an underlying disorder. This type of grief is characterized by the absence of normal grief reactions, being emotionally numb, and being estranged from others. They may also experience a diminished sense of self and become uncomfortable in their new social role. The pain of this type of grief may seem endless and confusing. Complex grief is usually recognized after six months, though the process may be prolonged if the individual had social, cultural, or religious ties to the deceased.
