Complicated Grief Therapy Counseling

Complicated Grief

When a person is experiencing a complicated or an acute grief response it is much like having a physical illness. It's important to be aware of these symptoms so you don't think you are going crazy or dying yourself from an unknown disease. These symptoms will pass as you work through your grief.



Emotional Symptoms: Complicated and Acute Grief

Sadness
Anger
Irritability
Relief
Anxiety
Panic
Meaninglessness
Apathy
Numbness
Abandonment
Helplessness
Emotionally labile
Vulnerability
Self Blame
Fear
Guilt
Longing
Loneliness
Apathy
Disbelief
Denial
 
 

Social Symptoms: Complicated and Acute Grief

Overly sensitive
Dependent
Withdrawn
Avoid others
Lack of initiative
Lack of interest
Hyperactive
Under active
Relationship difficulties
Lowered self esteem
 

Behavioral Symptoms: Acute, Complicated Grief

Forgetfulness
Difficulty concentrating
Slowed thinking
Sense of Unreality
Wandering aimlessly
Feeling trance-like
Feelings of unreality
Feelings of emptiness
Dreams of the deceased
Searching for the deceased
Sense the loved one's presence
Hallucinations of the deceased, sensing their presence (visual or auditory)

 

Your body grieves too

When we experience a loss, a very ancient reaction is triggered in our brain: the fight-or-flight response. The reason we have such terrible pain is that far back in the timeless past we learned, as a species, that we had to bond with others in order to find food and to protect ourselves from enemies. To break those bonds was to die ourselves. Even now, when the bonds we have with others are disturbed, at some deep level we fear for our very survival.

Because we sense that we are in danger, the body mobilizes to protect itself from the intruder or, if that’s not possible, to escape to safety. But loss is no hostile tribe that we can guard the camp against; nor is it an enemy that we can run from. Therefore we are caught in a state of tension. Our brain has stimulated us to take action; but, since we cannot undo the loss there is at this moment no action we can take. We are, therefore, held taut. This means that our bodies are under enormous stress. (Excerpt from Seven Choices by Elizabeth Harper Neeld)


Physical Symptoms: of Complicated or Acute Grief

Fatigue
Trouble initiating or maintaining sleep
Chest heaviness or pain
Shortness of breath
Tightness in the throat
Palpitations
Nausea
Diarrhea
Constipation
Abdominal pain
Back pain
Headache
Lightheaded
Dizziness
Change in appetite
Weight change
Hair Loss
Crying, sighing
Restlessness

Complicated grief establishes itself over the course several months and can become very serious. It can interfere drastically with the person's daily life. However, someone in this state is likely to be oblivious, quite unable to recognize his or her condition. Or, someone suffering from unresolved grief may be able to see the problem, but be unable to take steps to address it. A friend, doctor or family member may be needed to intervene so as to persuade the person that therapy is required and to guide them towards help. Counseling for complicated grief gives the mourners practical ways to slowly deal with their loss, while still maintaining a healthy life.
 
Call or text 410-757-4720, or send an email to schedule a free 10 minute phone consultation today. 

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