Understanding Grief

What is grief?

Grief is how we respond when we experience loss. Grief is a normal, natural and inevitable response to loss and it can affect every part of our lives. Grief can seem like a roller-coaster ride with ups and downs, or it may feel like we are being battered about like a little boat in a storm. Sometimes it can seem overwhelming and frightening.

Grief allows us to gradually adjust to our loss and find a way of going on with our life without the person who has died.

What does grief feel like?

Everyone experiences grief in their own way. There is no ‘correct’ way to grieve, and no way to ‘fix it’.

Feelings – We may experience intense feelings such as; shock, chaos, sadness, anger, anxiety, disbelief, panic, relief, or even numbness. Some people are fearful as they are adjusting to a loss that they may forget or lose connection with the person who has died, or may even feel disloyal.

Thoughts – We may experience confusion and find it difficult to concentrate. It is not unusual for people to have ‘extraordinary experiences’ such as dreams of the person who has died or to have a sense of their presence. Mostly these are comforting and help us feel close to the person who has died. We may think we will never get over this, or that we are going crazy. We may think that it is all too hard and wish we were with the person who has died. This is an expression of our pain and sadness.

Physical reactions – Sometimes we may have trouble sleeping. Grief can also lead to physical symptoms such as; tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea or pain. If these symptoms persist, check with your doctor to exclude other causes.

Relationships – Relationships can be affected. Sometimes we will be preoccupied or tense, or feel disinterested in other people and things.

Behaviours – We may experience lethargy or over-activity, pay little attention to self-care, sleep a lot, desire to resort to alcohol or non-prescribed drugs and other potentially harmful behaviours.

Beliefs – Our beliefs about life may be challenged. Often grieving people wonder why this has happened to them.

How long will it take?

Grief has no timeline. It is not unusual for grief to be felt over an extended period of time, even for many years. At first, people tend to feel grief more strongly. As time passes, we learn to manage the grief.

Sometimes, after a period of feeling good, we find ourselves experiencing sadness, despair or anger. This is often the nature of grief, up and down, and it may happen over and over.

Life will eventually have meaning again, although our loss will always be part of us.

How do we grieve?

Everyone grieves in their own way. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. Some people express their grief in private and do not show it in public. We do not always know how people are grieving simply by what we see.

Some people want to express their grief through crying and talking. Others may be reluctant to talk and prefer to keep busy. Members of the same family can grieve differently. People may behave differently at different times.

It is important to respect each other’s way of grieving.

Helping yourself

Grief is like a journey to an unknown destination that you cannot control or plan. Here are some suggestions for getting through the difficult times. Remember though, that you will grieve in your own way.

Privately and personally

You may sometimes prefer to keep your thoughts and feelings to yourself:

• try not to make big decisions too soon
• create a memorial – do or make something to honour the person who has died
• continue the relationship with the person who has died by talking to them, looking at photos, visiting special places
• develop your own rituals – light a candle, listen to special music, make a special place to think
• allow yourself to express your thoughts and feelings privately – keep a journal, draw, collect photos
• exercise – do something with your pent-up energy, walk, swim, garden
• draw on religious and spiritual beliefs if this is helpful
• read about other peoples’ experiences – find books and articles
• think about some self-care ideas such as meditation, massage or aromatherapy.

With other people

Sharing with other people can reduce the sense of isolation and feelings of loneliness that come with grief:

• allow people to help you – you will be able to help someone else at another time
• talk to family and friends – sharing memories and feelings can be comforting
• consider joining a support group
• don’t feel you must grieve all the time – try some things you enjoy as well, when you feel up to it
• talk with a counsellor to focus on your unique situation

Being a carer for someone with a terminal condition can be quite isolating and exhausting. After the person has died, you may find it very difficult to reintegrate into work, groups, clubs or activities you previously enjoyed. Inviting a friend or volunteer to accompany you the first few times may make it a little easier.

Helping others

No one can take away the pain and sadness of grief, but knowing that people care is comforting and healing for grieving people. You cannot fix it, but you can help.

Here are some suggestions for things that might help:

• keep in touch and be prepared to just listen
• be open in showing your concern and care
• help in practical ways
• express your sorrow about their loss
• talk about the person who has died – use their name if culturally appropriate
• remember that many people may be grieving, including children, grandparents, friends
• make contact again, even if there was no response the first time – sometimes people will want to talk and sometimes they won’t
• share memories and stories
• remember and acknowledge birthdays, death days, anniversaries and other special days.

Sometimes, there are things that are not helpful, these might include:

• avoiding people who are grieving
• taking anger personally – often it is simply an expression of pain and grief
• saying ‘I know how you feel’, everyone feels differently
• telling them they ‘should’ be grieving in a certain way
• changing the subject or trying to cheer them up
• not using the name of the person who has died for fear of reminding them – they won’t have forgotten
• trying to find something positive in the death
• making suggestions to ‘replace’ the person who has died

Use your judgement. If you are really worried about someone, ask them if they think they are doing okay.

If you make a mistake, it’s never too late to say sorry. If possible, don’t allow friendships and relationships to become strained.

Finally, don’t allow your inability to fix it stop you from reaching out to a grieving person and don’t underestimate the value of ordinary human kindness.

Feeling overwhelmed?

Sometimes, we may need to seek help. Counselling is one option, or you might consider joining a support group.

Although the experience of grief is a normal and inevitable part of life, for some people it can be very distressing. If this happens, professional help is recommended.

Some signs that you may need to seek professional help include:

• a strong sense of meaninglessness that persists over time
• high levels of insomnia
• inability to carry on previous relationships
• deep yearning or searching for the person who has died
• deep depression or anxiety
• thoughts of self harm or harm to others

Specialist palliative care services can help with accessing a bereavement counsellor or social worker. Also, your general practitioner will be able to refer you to an appropriate service.

Several organisations provide information or telephone counselling.

• Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement: 1800 642 066
• Lifeline (24/7): 13 11 14
• Kids Helpline (24/7): 1800 55 1800
• Mensline (24/7): 1300 78 99 78
• Parentline: 1300 30 1300
• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636