What is grief?
Grieving can be experienced in lots of different ways. There is no ‘right’ way to grieve. However you experience or express your grief is okay. You may:
- Experience waves of sensations (emotional and physical)
- Cry a lot. It is normal. Tears help produce endorphins that help us manage the pain of grief
- Get distracted momentarily, and then have a realisation, which causes you distress
Period of suffering
- Slowly, over time, the intensity of the experiences of grief will lessen
- At times you might even notice that life has some enjoyment again
- The first year is often the worst.
- Overtime you will realise you have started to re-establish something that resembles ‘normal’ life.
Common grief feelings
- Guilt
- Blame (yourself/others/a god)
- How the outcome could have been prevented
- Feeling emotionally numb
- Irritable
- Loss of meaning in life
- Risk taking behaviour
- Anger, frustration
- Bargaining with God or a higher power
What helps
Fostering positive thoughts and behaviours
Be social |
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Emotions |
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Commemoration |
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Trust |
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Understand |
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Reflect |
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Seek help |
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Dealing with negative thoughts and behaviours
Impulsive |
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Suicidal |
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Irritable |
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Negative emotions |
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Overwhelmed |
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Self critical |
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Whist driving |
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Alchohol |
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Videos
Describes common feelings of grief and both positive and negative ways to manage grief.
SBS Insight - a TV episode on the topic of grief. The episode includes expert information as well as individual experience of grief.
Sources for support
- The Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement
- Australian Psychological Society (tip sheets)
- Lifeline 131114 (24 hours)
- Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (24 hours)
- Reachout
- Youth beyondblue
- MH Information and Access Line 1800 011 511
- UNSW Health Service 93855425