Dealing with Bereavement and Loss

There are many different reactions to bereavement and loss and many feelings may be explored such as anxiety, anger, guilt, shock, sadness, loneliness, fatigue, yearning/longing, relief and emancipation.

Many people will experience physical symptoms associated with grief such as tightness of the chest, hollowness in the stomach, shortness of breath, dry mouth and lack of energy. Most clients feel that once they have an explanation for the symptoms, they then can begin to accept them and understand that they are normal.

There are many thoughts and patterns associated with grief such as disbelief, confusion, preoccupation, sense of presence, hallucinations and having questions. All of these thoughts patterns can influence your behaviour.

There are many ways that your behaviour can be affected by grief, for example, difficulty sleeping or staying asleep, eating too much or not eating at all, absent-mindedness, social withdrawal, avoidance/exposure, searching/calling out, sighing, restlessness, crying or not crying and holding on things.

At First Step Counselling, we understand and bear in mind that every person is different and each individual’s grief will be based on the past, life experiences, personality, upbringing and story.

In counselling, we will help and support you to identify and express your feelings. We will walk alongside you to feel the pain and work through the process together.