The Grieving Process: A Complicated Journey                      

Although we all face grief at some point in our lives, we are never truly prepared. The truth is grief effects everyone differently and no two people go through the process in the same order, at the time. Yes, there are stages to the grieving process, but there is no RIGHT or WRONG way to experience those stages. So, when you find yourself facing a great loss, give yourself some grace.

The stages of grief are meant to help you understand the emotions you are feeling, not a blueprint of how the process should go. The stages are as follows:

While going through the stages you may feel these emotions: Sadness, guilt, fear, anger and disbelief. Physically you may experience fatigue, nausea, insomnia, body aches and weight loss or gain.

Remember this journey is as unique as you are. Reach out to family, friends or a professional for assistance along the way.

You are not doing it wrong. You are doing it in your own way. If you would like to learn more about grief and how to support yourself or a loved one, check out these resources.

PCHC Grief and Loss Training: https://cloud.absorbcreate.com/launch/project/LghWYoRpvE5skAXxi

• Denial- shock & disbelief
• Anger- this is an important part of the healingprocess
• Bargaining- “What if I did…they would still behere”
• Depression- “What’s the point of going on?” Different from a mental health diagnosis of depression
• Acceptance- begin to accept the way life is now