People often speak of grief in terms of losing a loved one, but did you know it can also result from the loss of a job? It’s true. When you lose a job—especially one that you enjoyed and planned to stay at well into the future—it can cause you to question your self-worth. Jobs provide routine and structure to our...[ read more ]
Have you recently lost a dream? Maybe you always imagined going to the college your parents attended, but you received a rejection letter after applying. Perhaps you pictured getting back together with a significant other, but you found out that they’ve gotten married to someone else. Or maybe you dreamed of having a family, but you’re dealing with infertility.Whatever the...[ read more ]
If you’re having trouble feeling safe after experiencing a traumatic event or series of events—whether recently or in the distant past—you’re not alone. It’s very common for trauma to cause people to lose their sense of safety. In fact, studies show that traumatic experiences can alter the way that the brain and central nervous system function, causing someone to feel...[ read more ]
Disenfranchised grief is a type of grief that isn’t accepted or acknowledged by society. (This makes sense, as Merriam-Webster defines “disenfranchised” as being “deprived of some right, privilege, or immunity.”) For example, people may tell the grieving person that they should be “over it” by now. Unfortunately, when someone’s grief isn’t validated by those around them, they may not get...[ read more ]
It’s normal to experience grief after a loss, such as the death of a friend or family member. In most cases, these emotions gradually improve over time. But if you’re still living with the symptoms of grief months or years later, you may have what’s known as “complicated grief,” “prolonged grief,” “chronic grief,” or “persistent complex bereavement disorder.”Many people with...[ read more ]
In many cases, grief occurs when someone has already suffered a loss. But grief can also result from a loss that is impending but hasn’t yet occurred. When this happens, it’s referred to as “anticipatory grief” or “preparatory grief.”Anticipatory grief commonly affects individuals who are expecting to lose someone or something important in the near future. For example, you may...[ read more ]
If you or a loved one recently received an upsetting—possibly life-threatening—diagnosis, you might be feeling a mixture of shock, disbelief, fear, sadness, and anger. It’s completely normal for you to feel this way. Many people think of grief only in terms of the death of a loved one, but it can also stem from losing your health (or from any...[ read more ]
For many people, the holidays are about spending time with loved ones. But for those who have suffered a recent loss, the holidays can be painful and isolating.Here are some ways you can cope with the holidays after a loss:Recognize You are Not AloneIt’s easy to feel as though you are the only one experiencing great pain during the holiday...[ read more ]
One of the most devastating experiences we must endure in life is grieving the loss of a loved one. Although we have the knowledge that everyone will eventually die, and we logically understand the finality of death, no amount of information can prepare us for the devastation of the actual experience. Losing someone we love for the first time can...[ read more ]