What is Grief & Bereavement?

Grief is a natural emotional response to loss, particularly the loss of a loved one. It can also occur after losing a relationship, job, home, or anything significant in one’s life. Grief involves a mix of emotions such as sadness, anger, guilt, or even relief, and it can affect a person mentally, emotionally, and physically.

Bereavement refers specifically to the period of mourning and adjustment after losing someone close. It is the process of coping with loss, which can look different for everyone depending on their personality, beliefs, and support system.

Common Symptoms & Experience

Common Symptoms

Grief and bereavement affect people in different ways, but some common symptoms include:

Intense Emotional Reactions

Deep sadness, crying spells, or feeling emotionally numb.
Anger, guilt, or regret over things left unsaid or undone.
Anxiety, loneliness, or feeling disconnected from others.

Physical Symptoms

Fatigue, low energy, or difficulty sleeping (insomnia or oversleeping).
Changes in appetite (eating too much or too little).
Physical discomfort, such as headaches, chest tightness, or digestive issues.

Difficulty in Daily Functioning

Trouble concentrating or making decisions due to emotional distress.
Avoiding social interactions, work, or daily responsibilities.
Feeling stuck in memories of the loss and struggling to move forward.

Experiences

Grief and bereavement affect individuals in unique and deeply personal ways. Here are three common experiences:

Waves of Emotion That Feel Uncontrollable

Intense feelings of sadness, anger, guilt, or even relief can come unexpectedly.
Emotional responses may shift from numbness to overwhelming sorrow in a short period.
Triggers like songs, places, or anniversaries can bring back powerful memories.

Feeling Disconnected from the World

A sense of emptiness or detachment from daily life, making everything feel meaningless.
Struggling to engage in social interactions due to emotional exhaustion.
Feeling like no one truly understands the depth of your loss, leading to isolation.

Adjusting to Life Without the Loved One

Having to redefine routines and identity after the loss (e.g., a spouse losing a life partner).
Experiencing moments of guilt or confusion when feeling happiness or laughter again.
Finding ways to honor and remember the person while still moving forward.

How Psychological Therapy Can Help You

Losing someone or something significant can be overwhelming, and psychological therapy can provide guidance, support, and coping strategies to help individuals navigate grief. Here are three major ways therapy can help:

Providing a Safe Space to Express Emotions

Many people feel pressure to “move on” quickly or suppress their feelings. Therapy offers a non-judgmental space to process emotions at one's own pace.
Therapists help individuals understand that grief is not a linear process and that emotions like sadness, anger, and guilt are natural.
Talking about the loss helps prevent emotional suppression, which can lead to depression or anxiety.

Therapy introduces techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help manage negative thought patterns and overwhelming emotions.
Mindfulness and relaxation techniques can help with sleep issues, anxiety, and emotional distress.
Therapists guide individuals in finding meaningful ways to honor their loss while continuing with life.

Teaching Healthy Coping Strategies

Supporting Adjustment to Life After Loss

Grief often brings major life changes, and therapy helps individuals adjust to a new reality.
It provides guidance on rebuilding routines, finding new purpose, and reconnecting with others.
Therapy can help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation by fostering social connections and emotional healing.