Table of Contents –
1. Introduction
2. The Impact of Grief on Your Functioning
3. Navigating Grief In Therapy
4. Summary
5. FAQs
6. Conclusion
Introduction
The most common feeling expressed by individuals is grief. Grief can manifest itself in different forms and look different for everyone. When we lose a loved one or miss out on an opportunity, we experience grief and loss. While you may want to deal with it on your own, it is always recommended to see a mental health professional who can help you navigate through the difficult period.
The therapists will help you cope by using strategies and techniques that are effective in dealing with grief and overcoming this feeling. These strategies will not only help you cope but also allow you to acknowledge how you feel and the impact the loss has had on your life.
The Impact of Grief on Your Functioning
Grief can also manifest itself in various different forms. It not only affects your emotional functioning but may also have an impact on your body and cognition. Let’s have a look at how grief can present itself in different forms.
Physical Symptoms: Grief can manifest itself in the form of physical symptoms. These physical symptoms can range from sleep disturbances to headaches, muscle tension, and changes in appetite. Noticing these changes is crucial for you in order to seek help and understand the reasoning behind them.
Effects on Your Cognition: Yes, your cognition can be affected as well. This could range from not being able to remember things to finding it difficult to make a decision. Our thoughts have the ability to influence most of our actions, and not only our actions but our emotions as well. Therapy will allow you to understand these thoughts while helping you navigate through your feelings of grief.
Existential Crisis: Grief can also lead you to question your existence and the point of working on something, which provokes a conversation about a deeper understanding of faith as well. While existential crisis may seem like a Gen Z word, it’s something we all go through in life, especially when we are grieving our losses.
Behavioral Symptoms: You may also notice certain behavioral changes or symptoms after experiencing grief. It could range from being irritable to mood swings and withdrawal from social activities.
Navigating Grief in Therapy
In this blog, we have explored how grief can impact not only our emotional functioning but also several other aspects of functioning. One can navigate through this feeling of grief by seeking professional help. Therapy provides you with a space to feel every bit of your emotion and work towards your goal of emotional regulation. It may feel overwhelming at first to discover these feelings, the heaviness of your heart and the numbness of your body. However, therapy is always a work in progress. You can take your time to process the feelings and the therapist will be by your side all the way through.
Summary
Navigating grief can seem overwhelming, and it can also manifest itself in different forms. It’s important to understand these symptoms and changes and seek professional help at the right time. Therapy can be a space where you can navigate through grief and loss and get a sense of closure. As discussed, grief can be a tough emotion to tackle, and the journey may seem overwhelming for you, but you have your therapist, and they have your back!
FAQs
What are the different forms of grief one can experience? – There are different forms of grief. You may grieve over losing a loved one, losing a friend, losing a relationship, etc.
How do therapists work with grief in the sessions? – Therapists use certain techniques to help you navigate through the feelings of grief and loss. They also encourage you to explore and dig deeper to understand your grief.
How can one support an individual who is experiencing grief? – You can be there for them and provide a listening ear. One can also encourage them to change their environment and see a professional.
Conclusion
It’s all about taking that first step to work on yourself and your mental health. While grief is something we all feel in our lives from time to time, it’s essential to navigate and work through the feeling to ensure that it does not end up affecting our functioning. Therapy can an effective way to tackle grief and loss.
To know more and learn about grief therapy, enroll here: Grief Therapy – PsyQuench
