Understanding the Stages of Grief

UNDERSTANDING the Stages of briet The S Stages of Grief 1. Denial • Protects you from overwhelming emotions • May feel like a numbness or isolation from reality • Should not be confused with a lack of caring · Anger may be directed at the deceased, friends, family, or health professionals • Anger at the deceased for dying can make you feel guilty and, in turn, angrier • Take your time in this stage and understand your options llargaining Can occur before or after losing a loved one Involves thinking about what could have been done differently to prevent the loss • Unresolved issues in this stage can lead to intense emorse or guilt 4.Depression You may experience deep grief and sadness beyond what you imagined • This stage can feel like it will last forever or like there is no point in going on • This stage is natural and not something that you should "snap out of" 5. Rceptance • Comes with accepting the fact that your loved one is gone forever • Does not mean that you are all right with the reality, just that you've accepted it • Happens a little bit at a time, as grief is a long process Tips for Coping with the Loss of a Loved One Embrace and face your grief rather than trying to ignore it Look to friends and family members for support Seek the help of a therapist or grief counselor Join a support group and share your story with others Write in a journal to express your feelings Let yourself feel all of your emotions, whatever they may be provided by ISt. Louis CREMATION www.stlouisfuneralhome.com SOUrces: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/grief_loss.htm http://psychcentral.com/lib/the-5-stages-of-loss-and-grief/oo0617 http://grief.com/the-five-stages-of-grief/ http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-coping-with-grief