Common Symptoms of Grief

common symptoms of grief

Losing a loved one is one of the hardest things many of us will ever face. Dealing with death is difficult, and grief can sometimes be overwhelming. Although everyone experiences loss differently, there are some common symptoms that people experience when they are in grief.

1

Shock and disbelief

It can be difficult to accept reality after the death of a loved one. One may experience numbness and/or disbelief that their loved one is truly gone. One may continue to believe that their loved one is still alive and waiting for he or she to return home.
2

Sadness

Sadness is the most common symptom of grief experienced by a bereaved person. The death of a loved one may leave you with feelings of emptiness, hopelessness, loneliness, and deep longing for them.
3

Guilt

You may feel guilty after the death of a loved one for not being able to do anything to keep them alive. You may also blame yourself for things you said or did not say or do, or for specific feelings (sense of relieved for the person after a long fight with the disease).
4

Anger

You may be enraged by the death of a loved one. You may be angry with the person who died for causing you pain and sorrow or for leaving you to deal with life on your own. You may also be angry at the doctor or any other party who failed to save your loved one.
5

Fear

After the death of a loved one, you may feel worried, scared, uneasy, and lost about going on with life without him/her and/or the responsibilities that are now left for you to take care of on your own.