Coping with grief and loss

Loss is defined as:

"the disruption of an attachment - an attachment to other people, to body parts, to inanimate objects, to fantasies, to habits and to life" (Shapiro).

Grief is natural and a normal response to loss. The more significant the loss, the more intense the grief. This is not based on our judgement however, the loss of our engagement ring can be as significant as the loss of a loved to someone else, loss is a very personal thing.

Some people experience non-finate losses. The loss of eye-sight, a physical or psychological disability, loss of memory and ability in any form. A loss without end that changes a person's ability to participate in life. This kind of loss alters a person's view of how they wanted to live their life and there becomes a struggle between aspirations and reality.

We have tangible losses that can be seen, but also intangible losses that are more symbolic. These can be loss of identity, dreams, hopes or beliefs. These losses can be harder to deal with as they are often not understood by others.

There are 5 stages of grief that we all have to pass through, irrespective of the type of loss:

Denial/shock This can't be happening.

Anger Why, who is to blame.

Bargaining I will do anything ......

Depression I'm too sad to do anything.

Acceptance I am able to move forward/to live.

When people get stuck in a stage of loss. counselling can help us to move through that stage and learn acceptance. This doesn't mean forgetting or minimalising loss, rather getting to a place where we can find joy in our life despite our loss.

There are many losses in life, some of which we don't even realise are a loss. If you or anyone you know is stuck in a loss, please call us to help move forward and learn to enjoy life again, changed and different, but wonderful.

There are many losses in life, some of which we don't even realise are a loss.