What is Grief?

Grief is intense distress caused by a significant loss, often the death of a loved one. Other life events like the loss of a job, the death of a pet, children leaving home, or divorce and separation may also cause you to feel grief. Bereavement is the period of mourning following such a loss.  The grief process may involve a combination of feelings, such as sadness, numbness, guilt, anger or regret and will change gradually over time into an acceptance of the loss.

Grief is a natural reaction to the loss of a loved one and may cause a person to have symptoms similar to depression. Feeling sadness is a normal part of the grief process however unresolved grief may lead to depression. Each person will experience a different grieving process, especially if the loss is unexpected, and the amount of time it takes for a person to recover from a loss varies widely.

Grief is considered resolved when the person is able to proceed with new goals in their life, enjoy the pleasures of daily life, look forward to things in the future and is no longer overcome by sadness when thinking about the loss.