Bereavement after loss is one of the most difficult, painful, and draining experiences we are likely to go through. It is a final and irreversible separation from a person with whom we were close. We generally think of death as the main cause of grief, but other events such as separation from a spouse or being fired from a job also tend to leave us with a strong sense of loss. The extent of feelings of grief often depends upon the degree of closeness to the person, our preparedness for the event and the amount of support we receive from those around us.
It is helpful to remember that mourning is a normal and natural reaction to loss. The mourning process may take a long time, often from six months to several years, and the feelings experienced usually change over the course of time. Although every individual experiences grief differently, there are some typical stages that are often characteristic of the whole process.
For more information regarding understanding and coping with grief, as well as the differences between adult and child reactions, visit Traumaweb’s grief pages.