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Grief: Coping with grief
Feelings of grief vary depending on your personality, past experiences, the length of time that has passed since your loss, and the personal importance of that loss to you. After losing a loved one, the nature of your past relationship will also affect the way you grieve. When grieving, it is normal to:
- Feel sadness and yearning for the person, object, or situation that you have lost. These feelings are central to all grieving.
- Feel worry, anxiety, frustration, confusion, anger, or guilt.
- Be overly sensitive to others' behavior.
- React strongly to seemingly minor losses or changes when they trigger feelings of grief over your major loss.
- Feel insecure and alone, and want to isolate yourself from others.
As you recognize each feeling and accept it, you become able to work through the feeling and heal your emotional distress. Your personality, coping style, and past experiences influence how you deal with your feelings.
A broad range of feelings are expected during the grieving process. If you are concerned that your feelings may be too painful or unusual, talk with a mental health professional experienced in grief counseling.
Test Your Knowledge
Feeling oversensitive is common when grieving.
TrueFeeling oversensitive is common when grieving. During this time, people are often oversensitive to the behaviors of others.
FalseFeeling oversensitive is common when grieving. During this time, people are often oversensitive to the behaviors of others.
Dealing with grief means accepting your feelings, even though they may be painful.
TrueDealing with grief means accepting and handling your feelings, even though they may be painful.
FalseDealing with grief means accepting and handling your feelings, even though they may be painful.
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Why is it important to grieve?
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Grief: Coping with grief
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: December 7, 2009 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Sidney Zisook, MD - Psychiatry | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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