Grieving and Morning for Lost Loved Ones

The loss of a loved one is the most unfortunate, stressful event that everyone must face. The loss could be a parent, sibling, grandparents, best friend or a beloved pet. People grieving the loss of a loved one will face many emotional feelings such as denial, sadness, guilt, bargaining, depression, anger and finally acceptance.

Gradually, these feelings will fade away as grief turns to acceptance as they learn to move forward with sweet memories of their loved one. Grief can become exceedingly complex, painful and debilitating for the survivor or survivors. The painful emotions of complicated grief are severe and last longer, enabling the survivor to accept the death and move on with their life, joy and peace.

Complicated grief is being in a chronic, heightened mental state of mourning. Unresolved grief may result in shock and difficulty in accepting the loved one's death, flashbacks, and nightmares. Anger, sadness, or depression are other signs of complicated grief and are abnormal behavior and physical symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, weight loss and insomnia may occur. The survivor may withdrawal from family and social activities and consider committing suicide.

Resolving grief by expressing emotions over the unfortunate loss is beneficial. Several ways of resolving grief are allowing the reality of never again seeing, touching, hearing or being in the physical presence of the lost loved one. Learning to accept that the loss is real and painful and is difficult. No one can avoid the physical and emotional pain of grief. However, some people have used illegal substances or prescription medications along with alcohol to deaden the pain. Feeling this emotional distress is difficult, but a positive step in healing.