Grief is never easy. But what if you started feeling its weight before a loss even happens? This is the reality for many people who experience anticipatory grief: a wave of sadness and anxiety that arrives in advance of a major loss, often when a loved one is seriously ill…
In 1969, Swiss-American Psychiatrist Elizabeth Kubler-Ross theorized that there are five universal stages of grief: denial and seclusion, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. These stages have since become a widely recognized framework for understanding how people process heartbreaking loss. However, grief is an incredibly personal experience and these stages don’t…
Grief is a normal human response to the pain of losing someone. It can be brutal, anguished, disorienting, maddening, enraging, and lonely. But ultimately, most people will emerge from grief. They may feel forever changed; however, many find meaning in their lives again. Those difficult feelings eventually make way for…
While there are five primary stages of grief — denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance — they aren’t linear, and our grief processes are highly personal. Some people aren’t flooded with emotions after a major loss. At least, not at first. Instead, they feel nothing. Read on for more information…
When our loved ones are away, there can be times when we miss them so much it hurts. We reminisce about having them near and recall the times we shared. But in some situations, the relationship just… ends. Whether it’s due to death, a breakup or divorce, military service, or…
The experience of being pregnant can be transformative for your body, mind, and spirit. Your relationship with your partner might change in anticipation of bringing new life into the world. Your identity may begin to shift as you feel the great responsibility of being a parent. But then, the worst…
Unfortunately, we will all experience grief at some point in life. Loss is universal (whether we like it or not) — but the grief process isn’t. While we might share similar emotions or responses to loss, the journey through our grief is an incredibly individual experience. That said, there is…
Grief is an inevitable part of the human experience, a natural response to the loss of a loved one, relationship, pet—anything that holds intrinsic value for the individual. It is a process that allows individuals to come to terms with their emotions and eventually find a way to move forward. …
Imagine suffering a terrible loss and not having it be understood by hardly anyone. Sounds pretty awful, no? Unfortunately, that’s exactly what disenfranchised grief is—a profound and often overlooked emotional pain experienced by individuals following a significant loss that society does not fully acknowledge or validate. Disenfranchised grief can have…
Q: How do I cope with death with a down-low friend relationship? A: First, I want to offer sincere condolences for your loss. You have layers of challenges to unpack and process. It is very important for you to have emotional support at this time. While the grief process is…
Nothing prepares us for the loss of a loved one—whether from death, a divorce, or simply them moving to a new area. The grief that comes with loss is overwhelming. And it doesn’t usually go away quickly. Months, even years following, you might be asking, “How long does grief last?…
When we think of grief, often the first thoughts that come to mind are of the emotional waves that come crashing down. Feelings of powerlessness, disbelief—and even shock. These powerful and dysphoric emotions are not just limited to their impact on the mind. In fact, researchers have long known that…
