As we grow older we experience change at an ever expanding rate. Our children grow up and move out, we retire, downsize our homes, and family and friends begin to pass away. All of which are profound losses that can bring about a natural grieving response.
This grief is normal pain that provides a way to mourn our losses, heal, and move on. When grief becomes complicated some people may find that it takes over their life creating a sense of hopelessness that leaves them feeling helpless and sometimes worthless.
Maybe you have heard of the Stages of Grieving and think these stages only apply to when a loved one has passed away. No matter the reason you feel a loss the stages most people move through continue to apply. They are not always experienced in the following order and often you may find yourself returning to experience one, two, or all of them a few times.
1. Denial – During this stage we often feel numb. Feeling numb is a normal reaction to a loss and should never be thought of as a lack of caring. It is a primary way to protect ourselves from feeling the full extent of the loss all at once.
2. Bargaining – During this stage we linger on thoughts of what we may have done to prevent the loss. Sometimes we can become stuck in these thoughts and if an individual is unable to come to terms with the grief he or she may find themselves with a high level of anger and, or guilt that hinders healing.
3. Depression – At this stage the full force of our loss hits home. We may be consumed by a feeling of loneliness, emptiness, anxiety, self-pity, and/or feel isolated from the world. Signs of depression include: difficulty with sleeping, crying, decreased energy, not feeling like eating, and feeling fatigued.
4. Anger – When you experience a loss and feel powerless to change the situation it is normal to experience anger at a higher power, or just at life itself.
5. Acceptance – Eventually most people are able to move through the stages and begin the healing process. As we complete acceptance the loss we experienced is assimilated into our experiences and becomes part of us in a way that is easier to bear.
Major Depression is a medical condition, which can happen at any time, and is different from the normal feelings of grief experienced after a major loss. Major depression requires treatment in order to be resolved.
Talk to your healthcare provider today if you believe you are suffering from Major Depression. As you can see, talk is not so cheap after all.
For more information about the grieving process:
http://fal.cn/ycII
This grief is normal pain that provides a way to mourn our losses, heal, and move on. When grief becomes complicated some people may find that it takes over their life creating a sense of hopelessness that leaves them feeling helpless and sometimes worthless.
Maybe you have heard of the Stages of Grieving and think these stages only apply to when a loved one has passed away. No matter the reason you feel a loss the stages most people move through continue to apply. They are not always experienced in the following order and often you may find yourself returning to experience one, two, or all of them a few times.
1. Denial – During this stage we often feel numb. Feeling numb is a normal reaction to a loss and should never be thought of as a lack of caring. It is a primary way to protect ourselves from feeling the full extent of the loss all at once.
2. Bargaining – During this stage we linger on thoughts of what we may have done to prevent the loss. Sometimes we can become stuck in these thoughts and if an individual is unable to come to terms with the grief he or she may find themselves with a high level of anger and, or guilt that hinders healing.
3. Depression – At this stage the full force of our loss hits home. We may be consumed by a feeling of loneliness, emptiness, anxiety, self-pity, and/or feel isolated from the world. Signs of depression include: difficulty with sleeping, crying, decreased energy, not feeling like eating, and feeling fatigued.
4. Anger – When you experience a loss and feel powerless to change the situation it is normal to experience anger at a higher power, or just at life itself.
5. Acceptance – Eventually most people are able to move through the stages and begin the healing process. As we complete acceptance the loss we experienced is assimilated into our experiences and becomes part of us in a way that is easier to bear.
Major Depression is a medical condition, which can happen at any time, and is different from the normal feelings of grief experienced after a major loss. Major depression requires treatment in order to be resolved.
Talk to your healthcare provider today if you believe you are suffering from Major Depression. As you can see, talk is not so cheap after all.
For more information about the grieving process:
http://fal.cn/ycII
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