Common Reactions People Have Following the Death of a Loved One

Feelings and behavioral reactions come and go throughout the grieving process.

• Having head/stomach aches
• Telling the story of how they died again and again
• Not able to talk about the person or the death
• Feeling helpless and powerless
• Having trouble sleeping/scared to go to sleep/wanting to sleep a lot
• Feeling sad and crying a lot
• Feeling guilty: "It was my fault," "I could have prevented this."
• Feeling angry, confused, frustrated, and/or quick to get into a fight
• Afraid to be alone and not wanting to stay home alone
• Withdrawing from friends. Not wanting to go out as much.
• Dreaming about the death, having nightmares about the person and death details
• Wanting to be with the person who died
• Finding it difficult to concentrate on work or school
• Worrying about, "Who is going to die next?"

If you, your friends or family would like to talk to someone, please contact the Wendt Center for Loss and Healing at (202) 624-0010.