When you’re going through a difficult time, it’s easy to feel alone. Building a support system (whether with loved ones or through grief counseling) is the best way to manage the grieving process. There are many different forms of grief, including complicated grief, anticipatory grief, chronic grief, and collective grief, to name a few.
No matter what type of grief you’re experiencing, help is out there — you’re not alone.
Grief is an unavoidable part of life. Any traumatic loss can result in grief, from a loved one passing away to the sudden ending of a relationship. You can also grieve after major life events, like being diagnosed with a medical illness or becoming recently unemployed.
People experience grief differently, and each type of grief can have a different effect. There are five main stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
1. The first step in the grieving process is denial. A person in denial feels shocked or numb to the traumatic event or loss. This is a defense mechanism used to manage overwhelming emotions. Thinking “this isn’t real” is only temporary.
2. When the comfort of the denial phase subsides and reality sets in, you enter the anger phase. People in this stage often feel frustrated with the situation — or the world. They may act angrily towards other people during this point in the grief cycle.
3. In the bargaining stage, thoughts move from anger to dwelling on the past. People in this phase will begin to think of ways that they could have prevented the traumatic loss or event, even if these thoughts are illogical.
4. After realizing that nothing can change what happened, people often slip into a depressive state. They begin to experience symptoms of depression like overwhelming sadness, loss of appetite, low self-esteem, and sleeping problems.
5. After going through the emotional four stages of grief, the final stage is acceptance. While the sadness won’t go away, individuals eventually realize that nothing can be changed and return to living life.
No one can prepare for a sudden, traumatic event. But, when you’re suffering from a traumatic loss, lean on your support system, take care of yourself, and most importantly, know when to ask for help!
Meridian HealthCare has specialized mental health services to help you overcome and live with grief. If you or a loved one are struggling and need help from a mental health professional, contact Meridian today.
Boardman Office
8255 South Ave
Youngstown, OH 44512
Phone: 330-797-0070
Poland Office
2894 Center Rd.
Poland, OH 44514
Phone: 330-797-0070
Meridian Campus
527 North Meridian Road
Youngstown, OH 44509
Phone: 330-797-0070
Warren Office
320 High Street, NE
Warren, OH 44481
Phone: 330-318-3873
There are many ways to grieve; it’s important that each person finds their own way of managing grief to improve their overall well-being. Coping strategies can improve a person’s mental wellness, and especially after a traumatic loss, self-care can be extremely helpful. Simply returning to activities that bring joy will aid in the grieving process, too.
But you don’t have to go through these stages alone:
Going through the grief process is painful and can linger if not addressed. Meridian HealthCare is proud to offer grief support and grief counseling services that help you find positive coping strategies for a better tomorrow.
Meet with our compassionate, experienced clinicians either in-person or via telehealth. Call Meridian today to schedule your appointment or make a referral. When you’re ready for help, we’re ready to pick up your call.
*If this is an emergency, call 9-1-1 or the National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255.
