No one is ever fully prepared to lose a loved one. At times the pain may feel unbearable. Grieving individuals experience a roller coaster of emotions, where one day they feel okay and the next are overwhelmed with sadness. The grieving process is different for everyone. The level of grief depends on a number of factors including how close you were to the person who died or how prepared you were for his or her death. Although the grieving process often seems endless, it gets easier with time. Individuals suffering from grief can begin to heal when they familiarize themselves with the symptoms of grief and commit to the essential steps of the healing process.

Common Emotions

Although everyones grieving process is different, there are basic emotions that most people experience. The first emotion, shock, usually accompanies the news of a death. An individual may go numb or be unable to comprehend what is happening. A person in shock may practice everyday tasks but is unable to feel anything. Denial typically follows shock. Even though a person knows their loved one is gone, they may not be able to accept the truth.

As soon as individuals accept the death of a loved one, they often develop feelings of guilt. They either become upset over their last interaction with the loved one or they wish they could have done something to prolong the loved ones life. Sadness inevitably follows guilt and may last for a week, a month or even years. During this stage, individuals may feel alone and experience frequent crying episodes.

Eventually a grieving person begins to move forward and braces themselves for life without the loved one. Acceptance is the first clear sign of healing and is usually accompanied by a positive attitude toward life. From this point on, individuals remain in a state of growth, where they learn to turn their loss into something meaningful.

Physical Symptoms

• Sleeplessness
• Dizziness
• General malaise
• Upset stomach
• Heaviness in the chest
• Loss of appetite
• Mood swings
• Assuming the loved ones mannerisms
• Inability to finish simple jobs
• Need to take care of others
• Need to repeat memories of the loved one
• Feeling the loved ones presence
• Unexpected crying spells