Coping With Grief

Coping with losing a loved one is one of life's great difficulties. If you have experienced the pain of mourning, you know that any way to ease the loss is welcomed. While our knowledge and study of grief continues to evolve, it's important to note that not everyone grieves in the same way: We have individual patterns and different outlets for grief. There has also been research on stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance—but people do not always experience these stages in any particular order, nor do they experience every stage. In the worst cases, there are individuals who suffer more severe grief, known as prolonged grief and formerly complicated grief, which can last up to months. This form of grief can pave the way to isolation and chronic loneliness

Recent posts on Grief

Navigating Grief and Condolences

By Mica B. Estrada, Ph.D. on January 26, 2018 in Lead with Kindness
Is it possible that the kindest thing we can do is allow the pain of a loss to be felt and release ourselves from the reflex to try to stop it?

The Gift of Grief

Honesty, transparency, and vulnerability are qualities that most of us claim to value, yet when it comes to embodying these virtues in our actions and words, we may be reluctant...

Mourning Without Markers

By Gayle Greene Ph.D. on January 25, 2018 in Insomniac
As a career woman with no children but many unresolved issues about my mother, with no chance now to tell her the things I wish I had, writing became my drug of choice.

The Inner Life of Animals: Love, Grief, and Compassion

By Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on January 17, 2018 in Animal Emotions
An Interview with Peter Wohlleben, author of a new book on animal emotions called "The Inner Life of Animals," a sequel to his best-seller "The Hidden Lives of Trees."

Should You Try To "Get Over" Grief?

Grief is overwhelming. It is painful beyond measure. Should you active try to "get over" it?
Nik Shuliahin/Unsplash

Facing Death Together at the Bedside

Sitting vigil with a dying loved one.

Closure Is Overrated

"You need closure." Heard that before? Here's why getting closure is unrealistic in some circumstances.

Soul Sadness

By Tara Brach Ph.D. on January 08, 2018 in Finding True Refuge
Our soul sadness is fully revealed when we directly and mindfully contact our pain. In such moments, we discover a natural upwelling of compassion and tenderness for our own heart.

When Grief Gets Complicated

By Jessica Zitter MD, MPH on January 08, 2018 in Life and Dignity
Having a loved one die is hard enough. Make sure that you aren't flying blind.

The Big Split

By Sarah C. Newcomb Ph.D. on January 08, 2018 in Loaded
Here’s what you need to know about the psychology of money when it comes to splitting up.

Underlying Patterns: Hard to See and Painfully Obvious

Change and letting go by choice can trigger one’s own feelings of loss and abandonment.
Aaron Burden/Unsplash

What to Say in a Sympathy Note

Do you stress over finding the right words to say?

When Your Emotions Catch You Off Guard this Holiday Season

How to make sense of mixed emotions this holiday season

The Sad Holiday

By Carrie Barron M.D. on December 24, 2017 in The Creativity Cure
Some ways to address sadness during the season.

How to Support Grieving People During the Holidays

By Megan Devine on December 21, 2017 in It's OK That You're Not OK
An infographic could help you figure out how to best support grieving friends and family during the holiday season.

10 Tips for Dealing with Depression at the Holidays

Whether you’re battling clinical depression, grief, or just the holiday blues, these suggestions will help you cope.

Talking About Death May Prevent End-Of-Life Suffering

By Robert T Muller Ph.D. on December 21, 2017 in Talking About Trauma
Movements like the Death Café can help to ensure patient needs are met.

When to Quit Therapy

By Ryan Howes PhD, ABPP on December 19, 2017 in In Therapy
In an ideal world, all therapy would provide a good ending, where loose ends are tied up, take-away points are clarified, and we share a clean goodbye. Sounds nice, doesn’t it?
Photo by Kristin Meekhof

How to Help Someone in Grief This Holiday Season

By Kristin Meekhof on December 17, 2017 in A Widow's Guide to Healing
Not sure what to say to the bereaved during the holiday season? It may surprise you what fills the void. Say their loved one's name, and then listen.

Helping Kids Who Grieve During the Holidays

By David Rettew M.D. on December 15, 2017 in ABCs of Child Psychiatry
For many kids, the joys of the season are mixed with feelings of loss. Here are a few thoughts aimed to help those dealing with grief during the holiday.

Tis the Season to Be

By Lori Russell-Chapin Ph.D. on December 12, 2017 in Brain Waves
Tis the season to be jolly. Is the act of forgiveness the key?

Fears and Consequence in Choosing Open Adoption

If the birth mother is in our lives, won't my child will be confused as to who their "real" parents are?

How Novels Help You Grieve

Freud warned that "unexpressed emotions never die." Perhaps a good book can help you connect to deep emotions.

Loneliness Is a Killer. Why Don't We Talk About It?

By Loren A. Olson M.D. on December 08, 2017 in Finally Out
We don't talk about loneliness because of a stigma: It feels like a failure in one of life's fundamental domains. But it is essential for our health that we talk about it.
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The Heartbreak of Relationships With Narcissists

Partners of narcissists can feel as cursed as the tragic lovers Narcissus and Echo. Their myth reveals important lessons for heartbreaking relationships with narcissists.

Helping Your College Student Cope with a Grandparent's Death

By Marcia Morris M.D. on December 03, 2017 in College Wellness
A grandparent’s death can pose challenges for a college student, but with your support and campus resources, your student can learn to cope.

Grief at the Holidays

Grief can be something that shows us another aspect of life, a part we might prefer not to know, but that, in some ways, gives us a greater appreciation of life.
Tertia van Rensburg/Unsplash

Ghost Sickness: A Culturally-Related Grief Disorder

Do you believe that ghosts can make you sick?

Grief Lessons

By Susan K Perry Ph.D. on November 23, 2017 in Creating in Flow
My husband of 34 years died recently. Unprepared for the reality of terrible loss, I learned how to grieve like everyone does: the hard way. Here are 12 lessons....

So Long Friend

When you lose someone unexpectedly.