Loss
True or False: Grief hurts but it can be helpful
True! The grieving process often involves sadness, anger, lonliness, and other painful emotions. However, grieving can help you come to terms with the loss and move forward in your life while still cherishing your loved one.
What is grief?
Grief is the natural emotional response resulting from a significant loss - especially the death of a loved one.
Does everyone cope the same way with death?
No. Some are able to use healthy coping techniques while others turn to unhealthy strategies such as drinking, isolating, or using drugs.
What is your favorite way to relax?
Cool!
When you are grieving, who can you seek help from?
Family, friends, therapist
Can grief become too painful?
Yes. It can grow into something totally different, like depression or anxiety. Other times grief can take over a person's life. We call this complicated grief.
Crying is a healthy coping strategy for grief.
Yes. The activity of crying and expressing our sadness can help us heal. Express yourself at therapy, a support group, or with friends.
Who are your safe people? (people you trust..)?
Nice!
True or False: Moving on means forgetting about the loss.
You can continue to live your life have new experiences, and form new relationships, while continuing to love ther person you lost.
The grief process is the same for everyone.
False. Everyone deals with grief differently. People cry, laugh, busy themselves, throw up, or even feel numb.
False. Although at first looking at pictures of and thinking about the person may be painful, but avoiding those things often causes more distress.
When someone you love dies, there can be certain days of the year that can be difficult (for example, holidays, the person’s birthday, the anniversary of their death).
True. What are some of those dates for you?
What is one way people might grieve?
Denial & Isolation
Anger
Depression
Acceptance
Bargaining
Some people recover quickly from grief.
True. Some people are able to recover quickly while others take their time.
You should take care of yourself physically to help you get through the grieving process.
Yes. Taking good care of your body will help you cope with grief since our minds and bodies are connected.
Feelings of grief can come back at any point in your life.
True.
Name 2 healthy ways to cope with grief and (2) unhealthy ways to cope with grief. What are some things that you did to help you cope with the loss?
the answers may differ but some healthy ways are:
- journal
- talk about it with someone that you trust
- listen to music
- think positive thoughts
Unhealthy:
- take your anger out on people around you
- fighting with others
Once you accept that a loved one has died, you are done grieving.
False. Even after resolving intense emotions after the loss of a loved one, we might still feel sad. We just learn ways to cope.
Journaling about the person is a healthy way to cope with grief.
True. It can be helpful to write down your thoughts, feelings, and memories of the person. It can even be helpful to write a letter to the person.
What are some symptoms of grief?
Irritability
Avoidance
Decreased or increased appetite
Sleep changes
Hard time feeling good or happy
Feeling sad all of the time.