Injustice. Death can seem very unfair. Many people find it difficult to make sense of personal loss.

Anger. Sometimes bereaved people can feel angry. This anger is a completely normal part of the grieving process. Death can seem cruel and unfair, especially when you feel someone has died before their time or when you had plans for the future together. You might feel angry with yourself too, for what you did or did not do. But perhaps most difficult of all, you might feel angry with the dead person for dying and abandoning you and for the pain you are suffering as a result of their death.

Loneliness.  Grieving can be a lonely process. You may feel that no one can possibly understand what you are going through. And you may feel reluctant to talk to friends about how you're feeling.

Depression.   Feeling low is a natural part of the mourning process. For a time you could lose interest in life and feel that there's no point in going on.

Pain.   Grieving can bring on both physical and mental pain which can be overwhelming and frightening. Some people are surprised at how painful grieving can be.

Relief.  You might feel relieved, especially if the death follows a long illness or if the person's life had been difficult or uncomfortable in their final months.

Many people worry that these reactions will go on forever.  But over time, the emotional pain will lessen in intensity and most people will learn to adapt to their changed circumstances.

Most of us have within ourselves greater reserves of strength than we are aware of. The human mind has a great capacity to cope with difficult circumstances and when we are grieving we call on these resources to help resolve very complicated and painful emotions.

Bereavement counselling is a specialised type of therapy designed to assist in the grieving process.

A therapist will help the bereaved person explore and resolve the feelings they are having around the loss of someone they love. Bereavement is one of the most common problems that people bring to therapy. To speak to someone about bereavement and loss, please continue here.

For information about our personal counselling services,

please click here.

sources
University of Cambridge, www.counselling.cam.ac.uk/bereav.html www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk/AboutGrief.html

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