Is this normal?
When it comes to handling loss and grief, everyone is different.
If you’ve recently experienced a loss, you may feel as if you’re going crazy. It may seem like you’re walking around in a fog, and the world around you may not seem real. You may question your beliefs and wonder why or how something like this could’ve happened. These are normal reactions.
Your grief is your own. There is no right or wrong way to feel.
Although everyone grieves differently, here is a list of common reactions:
- Shock and disbelief
- Sadness
- Numbness
- Guilt
- Anger
- Fear
It may help to talk to a mental health professional. If you feel any of the following (or if you recognize these symptoms in a loved one) contact a grief counselor or therapist:
- Feel as though your life is worthless
- Wish you had died with your loved one
- Blame yourself for the loss or for not preventing it
- Continue to feel numb and disconnected from others after several weeks
- Have trouble trusting others
- Are unable to perform normal daily activities
It may be tempting, but try to not shut out your family and friends. Most likely, they are concerned and want to help you. Take them up on offers of assistance, or use them as a shoulder to cry on. Remember that you don’t have to do everything yourself.
