bereavement, Grief and Loss treatment in colorado

Loss, and the grief or bereavement occurring due to the loss, may be one of the few experiences that everyone has dealt with, or will have to one day deal with. While death, accidents, and any other sudden loss in your life may seem a more obvious stressor than others, it is always important for you to acknowledge that only you can define what loss means to you and how you will grieve.

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Loss can come in many ways, including major losses such as:

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• loss of a loved one, friend, or pet

• divorce or change in family structure

• loss of an ability to work

• a change in financial responsibilities

• the break-up of a romantic relationship or friendship

• the loss of anything else that you value

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Everyone Responds Differently to Loss and Grief

 

Almost everyone responds to loss with some level of grief. Grief, the process of managing your loss, is very personal and exclusive to you. How you navigate feelings of grief, and for how long, will be unique. Your grief journey can be impacted by previous experiences of loss, grief or trauma. While there are many models that describe the stages of grief, most all agree that typically you will experience feelings of anger, sadness, and guilt, as you navigate the grieving process.

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Your Feelings About Loss, However Varied, Are Normal

 

As you work through the grieving or bereavement process, you will likely experience a range of emotions. Some which may be easily attributed to the loss, and others that may be more subtle. Sadness, tearfulness, and feeling unsettled by the loss are common feelings. Likewise, anger, loss of control and anxiety, often mixed with feelings of guilt or responsibility for the loss, are typical. As you manage your grief, you will likely experience one or more of these emotions at any given time. It is important to understand that all emotions you are or may be feeling are normal. It is also important to recognize that you will recover.

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Do any of these common grief symptoms describe you?

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• Mood changes constantly when before it stayed fairly steady

• Emotions ranging from sadness to anger, to guilt, to confusion

• Losing sleep, have difficulty sleeping, or sleep too much

• Feeling alone or want to isolate yourself from others

• Clingy and needy and not want to be alone

• Physical symptoms like headaches and stomach aches

• Crying more often

• Feeling “heavy” in your body

• Resentful or cynical

• Starting to question your faith or the meaning of life

• Angry at God, or your spiritual being

• Having thoughts of suicide

• Angry that others’ lives are going on as usual and yours isn’t

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Experiencing a loss can have a significant impact on how you experience the world, how you think about the world, and how you respond to your environment and community.  You may think that your loss was "not that bad” or may find yourself comparing your loss to others, minimizing your own loss. This leads to questioning your own feelings and thoughts as valid..

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Taking Time for YOU During this Season is Vital for the Future

 

When we experience a loss or an anticipated loss, and later grieving, we often take time to reflect on the meaning of life. Then, our “meaning” may sometimes change as a result of a loss. This can be a very painful process, but with support, it can often lead to healing, recovery and personal growth. Here at Catalyss Counseling, we offer support through your grieving process. Both after the loss and during the loss experience. We work with you to find meaning in your loss or anticipated loss, so that you may continue to find joy in your life along with personal growth and wellness. We assist you in Coping with your Grief.