Grief

What is grief?

Grief is a normal response to a loss of many types - this can include things such as the death of a person, the loss of a significant relationship, or loss of functioning or wellbeing during a serious illness or accident. People respond to grief differently.

Some people prefer to be around people, and others to be alone. Some get back to normal routine quickly and others take longer. How people grieve can be influenced on the circumstances of their loss, cultural context, as well as past experiences of loss.

What does grief look like?

Someone suffering with grief might experience:

A low mood and anxiety, such as poor sleep, tearfulness, feelings of deep sadness, and mood swings. This can lead to neglect of self-care and responsibilities
A sense of the loss being not quite real, or feeling disconnected from others. Sometimes people try to avoid thinking about it entirely
Overuse of alcohol or other drugs, including prescription medicines
Guilt about not initially feeling pain about the loss, about past interactions with the person who has died, and/or about going on with normal life
Seeing reminders of the person who died, or even perhaps feeling like they see or hear them.

Can I get through this?

Of course. The loss of a person, relationship, or other things can be very difficult to grasp. It’s important to be kind to yourself and give yourself time, and with the right support things will improve. You can also ask friends or whānau for help, or consider support that is tailored to your culture or religion.

How Fresh Minds can help

Our expert therapists can work with you on a plan to move through grief, by:

Understanding what you are feeling
Providing you with some tools and strategies to help manage your experience

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