Grief and Loss

Grief is one of the most difficult, raw emotions we can experience. It’s more than just feeling sad about a loss. It can feel like a part of you has been ripped away, causing incredible physical and emotional pain. After a loss, many people worry they may never feel okay again.

It is common to grieve over lost loved ones, pets, homes, jobs, relationships, and even lost opportunities. People often worry about whether they are grieving the right way. There really is no cookie-cutter correct way to experience loss. No two people grieve exactly the same. Loss can bring feelings of intense sadness, guilt, anger, worry, and numbness.

We all know that grief can lead to sadness and crying, but it isn’t this way for everyone. Sometimes grief also leads to angry outbursts, laughter, going into planning/disaster mode, or retreating into sleep, distractions or work. Other people cope by trying to keep their routines as normal as possible despite the loss. The many ways we grieve can sometimes lead to confusion and conflict. No matter how your reactions to grief look or feel, it is undeniable that it is hard to make sense of loss. How can we continue to go on like normal in a world that feels empty and does not make sense anymore?

After a loss, the world changes. Our lives are forever changed. In time, the blinding pain of loss fades-but it never goes away, like a wound fading to a scar. Therapy can help this process. Whatever stage of grief you may be in, we will assist you in fully processing what has happened and what is yet to come. You may feel alone or at a loss with what to do next. At Great Lakes Mental Health, we will walk with you through the next steps as you grieve and help you to rebuild in a way that honors your loss. Please reach out today.