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What is Grief?
Grief may be triggered by the death of a loved one. People also can experience grief if they have an illness for which there is no cure, or a chronic condition that affects their quality of life. The end of a significant relationship may also cause a grieving process.
Read more on www.nlm.nih.gov
Also known as Mourning, bereavement, grieving, Griefs, Mournings
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Grief information from trusted sources:
Bereavement
Bereavement is the period of grief and mourning after a death. When you grieve, it's part of the normal process of reacting to a loss. You may experience grief as a mental, physical, social or emotional reaction. Mental reactions can include anger, guilt, anxiety, sadness and despair. Physical reactions can include sleeping problems, changes in appetite, physical problems or illness. How long bereavement lasts can depend on how close you were to the person who died, if the person's death was expected and other factors. Friends, family and faith may be sources of support. Grief counseling or grief therapy is also helpful to some people. Read more on
www.nlm.nih.gov
Grief and Bereavement
There is an appointed time for everything, and there is a time for every event. Read more on
www.emedicinehealth.com
Complicated grief
Losing a loved one is one of the most distressing and, unfortunately, common experiences people face. Most people experiencing normal grief and bereavement endure a period of sorrow, numbness, and even guilt and anger, followed by a gradual fading of these feelings as they accept their loss and move forward. Read more on
www.mayoclinic.com
Grief - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Grief is a multi-faceted response to loss, particularly to the loss of someone or something to which a bond was formed. Although conventionally focused on ... Read more on
en.wikipedia.org
Grief and Grieving: Managing Sadness and Depression Signs
Oct 23, 2009 ... WebMD explains what grief is, what is normal in the grieving process, and how to manage sadness. Also learn the signs of depression to watch ... Read more on
www.webmd.com
Death and Grief
If someone close to you has died, you probably feel overwhelmed with grief. Read about some things that might help you cope. Read more on
kidshealth.org
Grief Symptoms, Seven Stages and Tips for Coping with the Death of ...
Mar 10, 2011 ... Grief is the normal internal feeling one experiences in reaction to a loss, while bereavement is the state of having experienced that loss. ... Read more on
www.medicinenet.com
Children And Grief | American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Discusses how children handle grief and loss and which signs indicate they have difficulty coping (AACAP Facts For Families). Read more on
aacap.org
Grieving: Facing Illness, Death and Other Losses -- familydoctor.org
Learn about grieving and the feelings often associated with grief. Read more on
familydoctor.org
Contents
Exams and Tests
The doctor will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your symptoms, including sleep and appetite. Symptoms that last for a while may lead to clinical depression.
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www.nlm.nih.gov
Medical advice
Call your health care provider if:You can't deal with grief; You are using excessive amounts of drugs or alcohol; You become very depressed; You have prolonged depression that interferes with your daily life
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www.nlm.nih.gov
Outlook (Prognosis)
It may take a year or longer to overcome strong feelings of grief, and to accept the loss.
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www.nlm.nih.gov
Possible Complications
Grief and loss can affect your overall health. It can lead to depression or excessive alcohol or drug use. Grief that lasts for more than two months and is severe enough to interfere with daily life may be a sign of more serious illness, such as major depression. Medication may be helpful.
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www.nlm.nih.gov
Prevention
Grief should not be prevented because it is a healthy response to loss. Instead, it should be respected. Those who are grieving should have support to help them through the process.
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www.nlm.nih.gov
Support Groups
You can help the stress of grieving by joining a support group, where members share common experiences and problems.
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www.nlm.nih.gov
Symptoms
There can be five stages of grief. These reactions might not occur in a specific order, and can (at times) occur together. Not everyone experiences all of these emotions:Denial, disbelief, numbness; Anger, blaming others; Bargaining (for instance "If I am cured of this cancer, I will never smoke again."); Depressed mood, sadness, and crying; Acceptance, coming to terms
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www.nlm.nih.gov
Treatment
Family and friends can offer emotional support during the grieving process. Sometimes outside factors can affect the normal grieving process, and people might need help from: Clergy, Mental health specialists, Self-help groups, Social workers. The acute phase of grief usually lasts up to 2 months. Some milder symptoms may last for a year or longer. Psychological counseling may help a person who is unable to face the loss (absent grief reaction), or who has depression with grieving.
Read more on
www.nlm.nih.gov