loss


Coping with loss: Understanding the emotional impact of grief and numbness after a death

Losing a loved one can be an overwhelming experience. Yet, some find themselves in a bewildering state of numbness at first—a disconcerting absence of feeling when one expects sorrow to overflow.  If you’ve found yourself in this space, seemingly untouched by waves of grief, know that you’re not alone. This…

Understanding disenfranchised grief: Coping strategies and support for those who are struggling

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…

Understanding physical symptoms of grief, plus how to relieve bodily pain and fatigue while grieving

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…

Anticipatory grief: Causes, symptoms & treatment

Anticipatory grief is the feeling of foreboding, overwhelm, and sadness that we might feel before experiencing a significant loss. Although our worries about the future may never come to fruition, that doesn’t mean that our emotions aren’t real. Anticipatory grief symptoms can be difficult to manage, though, especially when they’re…

What is the bargaining stage of grief? How to understand and work through the bargaining process after experiencing loss

The bargaining stage of grief is a process in which an individual who has suffered a loss might seek to regain control of their inner narrative, as they slowly process what has happened to them or someone they care about. Bargaining involves psychological negotiating with oneself, other people, or even…

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