Grief & Loss

Grief and Loss

Grief is a natural reaction to loss. It is the emotional pain that you experience when taken away something or someone you love. Sometimes the pain of loss can feel unbearable. You can feel all sorts of hard and unpredictable emotions, from shock or indignation to disbelief, remorse, and deep sadness. Pain and grief can also disrupt your physical wellbeing, making it hard to sleep, think or even think straight.

Grief is usually described in 5 stages:

 Denial: “This can’t be happening to me.”  Anger: “Why is this happening? Who is to blame?”  Bargaining: “Make this not happen, and in return I will ____.”  Depression: “I’m too sad to do anything.”  Acceptance: “I’m at peace with what happened

Emotional symptoms of grief

 Shock and disbelief  Sadness  Guilt  Anger  Fear

Physical symptoms of grief

 Fatigue  Nausea  Lowered immunity  Weight loss or weight gain  Aches and pains  Insomnia

People in our community can contact Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation, Drug and Alcohol Service at 08 8672 5255 for help.