Experiencing Grief and Loss

Written By Rachel Haffenden

What is grief?  

Grief is the normal response to loss or a difficult life event. This could be due to the death of someone close, loss of a relationship, pet, job, home, miscarriage, or diagnosis of a serious health issue. The more significant the event, the greater the feelings of loss and grief. Grief can impact your feelings, thoughts and behaviours, impacting other aspects of your life, including your mental health.  

There are five stages of grief. These stages include feelings such as denial and anger, bargaining, feeling sad or depressed, and finally, acceptance. Some people move through the different stages quite quickly, or very slowly, and they don’t necessarily occur in a particular order. You may experience other emotions as well. 

Symptoms of grief and loss 

You may feel overwhelmed or have uncontrollable instances of sadness. You may feel a lack of joy and find it difficult to find motivation. You may be angry or irritable, isolate yourself, or lose interest in things that you enjoy. Difficulty concentrating, feeling confused and experiencing racing or intrusive thoughts are common. You may even experience physical symptoms, such as extreme tiredness, sleep disturbances, a change in appetite, headaches, nausea, or pain. 

 Coping with grief and loss 

 
While grief isn't something you can neatly fix, using healthy ways to cope can help in the healing process.  

  • Take care of yourself – Eat well, get some light exercise, practice mindfulness, and try to get plenty of sleep. 

  • Let others help you – If friends or family offer to help while you’re going through a difficult time, let them. 

  • Join a support group – Sharing your grief with others who have experienced similar losses may help. 

  • Seek professional support – Talking to therapists or counsellors provides a safe space to express feelings and obtain guidance on coping with your loss. 

  • Create rituals – Doing things like establishing routines or remembering special activities can help in finding closure and comfort in honouring the person who's gone. 

  • Express feelings – Whether it's through writing, art, or just talking, finding ways to express feelings is crucial. Holding onto emotions can slow down the healing process. 

  • Remember and celebrate – Instead of only thinking about the loss, it helps to celebrate the good memories and the positive things about the person who's no longer with us. Keeping their spirit alive through stories can be healing. 

Grieving can be a long, hard process, so it is important to reach out for extra support from family, friends or professionals. It is also important to understand that special events such as anniversaries or birthdays may trigger your loss again, even if you were feeling like you were coping well. 

How do I get help for grief and loss? 

If you are struggling to cope with the feelings of grief and loss, you should contact your GP for further information. If they believe you would benefit from speaking with a psychologist, they may write a Mental Health Treatment Plan for you. This plan provides you with access to up to ten Medicare-rebated psychology sessions in a one-year period. 

The Mental Health Care Navigators at Isaac Navicare can then link you in with the best psychologist for your needs. 

 

Resources  

  • National Support Line – 1300 845 745  

  • National Support Line – 1800 642 066 

  • National Support Line – 13 11 14 

  • 1300 224 636 

Rachel Haffenden
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