Grief & Emotional Health
Everyone feels loss at times, but when we lose a loved one, the feeling is deeper-grief, a normal emotion. When feeling grief, it's best for your emotional health to stay in touch with family members who can provide support; make an effort to keep a regular schedule and eat a healthy diet, get regular exercise. Focus on taking care of yourself-and if you're having trouble getting past your grief, see a therapist. With some gentle guidance, you can get on with your life-and still enjoy your wonderful memories.
Recently Answered
- Q How does grief affect older adults?
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Dr. Michael Hirsch, PsychiatryAlthough people experience losses at every age, the toll mounts as one grows older. As friends and relatives die off, the possibility of a numbing grief overload arises. This is particularly common in nursing homes and assisted living facilities... Full Answer
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- Q What are the stages of grief?
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The five stages of grieving have become a standard paradigm for the feelings and emotions that follow any major loss, such as the loss of a loved one, the breakup of a marriage, or the conceivable loss of one's health and former lifestyle to a... Full Answer
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- Q How can I help my child cope with the death of a loved one?
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Dr. Erik Fisher, PsychologyThe following are guidelines to help your child cope with the death of a loved one: It is important after a death to re-establish structure and stability. Kids respond much better to this. If everyone's world falls apart and there is no... Full Answer
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- Q What are the symptoms of emotional trauma?
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Immediate psychological symptoms of emotional trauma can include hopelessness, anxiety, dissociation, and even numbness or calmness. Physical symptoms include sleeplessness, edginess, upset stomach, and a tendency to neglect general self-care practices... Full Answer
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- Q What are common emotions after the death of a loved one?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyMore than 2.5 million deaths occur in the United States every year. Doctors and therapists call this stressful and challenging period bereavement. Most individuals (80% to 90%) are able to cope with the loss of a loved one without... Full Answer
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- Q When should I seek professional help after the death of a loved one?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologySometimes recovering from the loss of a loved one can overwhelm you to the point where you may need to see a professional for guidance -- especially if the grieving process lasts longer than six months. Also, if one’s mourning period... Full Answer
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- Q What is prolonged grief disorder (PGD)?
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Dr. Deborah Serani, PsychologyProlonged Grief Disorder (PGD) is a disabling intense state of grief that persists for months, or sometimes years. Unable to move forward, paralyzed by the loss and grieving deeply, these individuals are often told by family and friends to get on... Full Answer
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- Q How can I deal with my emotional pain during a period of grief?
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Dr. Deborah Serani, PsychologyDon't hold in your emotional pain. Studies show that expressing emotions greatly reduces the body's stress response. Especially during the emotional pain of grief, listen to what your body is telling you and talk with your doctor about any... Full Answer
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- Q What are the common stages of grief?
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In her 1969 book, "On Death and Dying," Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross outlined five stages of grief that most people can expect to experience when facing a terminal illness or dealing with death. Those stages are: Denial: In the first stage, there is an... Full Answer
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- Q How are parents affected by the death of a child?
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Dr. Michael Hirsch, PsychiatrySurviving a child's death has been described by many people as the worst pain of all. Grieving is often intense and prolonged whether the child died young or much later in life. It's easy to intuit what makes this loss so difficult and different... Full Answer
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