Do I Need Grief Support?

Grief is a very personal journey. Every person experiences it differently, and every person experiences each loss in different ways. With some losses, you may be able to navigate through your grief on your own. Other losses may hit differently. If you experience some of the signs below, you may benefit from grief support.

Do I need grief support?

Grief support provides emotional support, validation, and education about the grieving process. Here are a few signs that you may benefit from additional support.

Feeling like you can’t move on. There is no timeline to grief, but if you feel like you will never be able to adjust to a new reality without your loved one and you’re having trouble resuming normal daily activities in the months after your loss, then you may have complicated grief. Speaking with a grief support counselor can help and provide much-needed support.

Avoiding your grief. When we avoid processing grief, we may seem fine on the outside, but that pain can only be held at bay for so long. It will eventually return, often when we least expect it. If you are avoiding friends and family or overworking to avoid thinking about your loss, a grief support counselor can help you process your grief in a safe environment.

Changes in weight or sleep patterns. These changes can be a sign that your body is struggling to handle things. A grief support specialist can help you better process your emotions.

Using drugs or alcohol to cope. Drugs and alcohol are another way of avoiding grief by numbing pain. However, not only will this lead to a need to process grief further down the road, it can also cause adverse health effects, create a dependence, or lead to even more dangerous substances. Grief support can provide healthier tools for managing pain.

Symptoms of depression. There is a difference between sadness and depression. If your feelings of grief include guilt, low self-esteem, isolation, or a lack of interest in things that once brought enjoyment, you may benefit from grief support.

Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care offers complimentary Grief Recovery Groups in all the areas we serve. Please contact us at 1-888-564-3405 to speak to a bereavement coordinator for more information.

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