- ABOUT GRIEF
- What Does It Feel Like to Grieve
- When to Seek Help
- Different Ways to Grieve
- Children and Death
- Loss of a Spouse
- Loss of a Child
- Traumatic Death
- Helping Others Grieve
- Holidays
When to Seek Help
Will the Grief Go Away?
Getting the Help I Need
Getting the Help I Need
There are many common reactions to learning that a loved one has died. These are normal, come at different times, and are different for each person.
Immediately following the death of a loved one, many people have feelings of disbelief and denial, and even be unable to acknowledge or accept the loss. Some people may want to immediately take action, which can show itself in planning funerals or memorial services, trying to seek justice, or trying to “solve” a case. Others may experience a numbness or desire to disconnect from any specific feeling or emotion. Most of these reactions are common and not concerning.
Grief and loss are natural parts of life, and we each have our own specific ways of coping with the news that a loved one has died. It is important to allow yourself to experience the death of a loved one in whatever way you naturally do without trying to force an action or emotion. Trying to change the way you naturally react to the news of a loved one’s death can take away from your ability to develop coping mechanisms and healthy resilience.
However, if you experience any symptoms that are intrusive, persistent, or highly concerning, including thoughts of hurting or killing yourself, thoughts of hurting or killing others, intrusive or disturbing thoughts surrounding the death, being afraid to leave the house or participate in daily activities, or any thoughts or feelings that persist for more than three months, it is advisable to talk to a mental health professional about what you are experiencing.
You may also want to speak with a trained mental health grief therapist if you have difficulty returning to work (or children to school), get easily angered and overwhelmed, feel confused about your relationship with the deceased and your feelings following their death, don't know how to help your children and teens with their grief, have difficulty with your close relationships, feel as if no one understands and what they say or do is not helpful.
The Wendt Center's counseling staff is uniquely trained and experience to help with the aftermath of grief. If you would like to explore counseling services, please call our Intake Coordinator, Alison Nicolosi, at 202-204-5021.
