People experience grief in many different ways.  The mourning process is essential in order to regain equilibrium and continue with life.  However it can take a long time to begin to feel better.  The grieving process includes a broad range of feelings and behaviours that are unique to the individual. 

In some cases the grieving process can become complicated depending on the relationship the grieving individual had with the deceased person, the circumstances of death, history of previous losses, personality factors, or the social environment and support network of the grieving person.

There are many common feelings, physical sensations, cognitions and behaviours that are associated with grief.

Feelings:

• Sadness
• Anger
• Guilt
• Anxiety
• Loneliness
• Fatigue
• Helplessness
• Shock
• Yearning
• Relief
• Numbness

Physical sensations:

• Upset stomach
• Chest pain
• Tightness in the throat
• Oversensitivity to noise
• Depersonalisation
• Short of breath
• Feeling weak
• Lack of energy
• Dry mouth

Cognitions:

• Disbelief
• Confusion
• Preoccupation
• Sense of Presence
• Hallucinations

Behaviours:

• Disturbed sleeping pattern
• Disturbed appetite
• Absentminded behaviour
• Social withdrawal
• Dreams & Nightmares
• Searching and calling out
• Restlessness
• Crying
• Holding on to belongings of the deceased

Grief therapy helps the person moving through the grieving process in order to make a better adaptation to the loss of a loved one.  When the grieving process is more complicated, psychotherapy will help the individual to identify and resolve conflicts and deeper issues.

"There is help!".