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Understanding Grief
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When Loss Touches Your Life
Losing someone or something you care about is painful. And grief always follows. It's a normal process, with both physical and emotional signs. But even with major life changes, such as the loss of a spouse or parent, you can face the loss and move on. This booklet will guide you through your own grieving process and offer ways to feel better over time.

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Losses We Grieve Over
Everyone feels a major loss at some point in life. These are just some of the types of loss you might be facing:

  • The death of a family member or friend
  • Health issues such as a permanent injury, chronic illness, or aging
  • A breakup, separation, or divorce
  • The loss of a job, a change in income, or other life changes, such as a move
How Loss Changes Us
Loss leaves a "hole" in your life where what you lost used to be. The loss can also affect the way you see yourself. Your daily routine changes if you have lost a partner, child, or parent. Your self-image may change if you are no longer healthy. After a divorce, you may need to think about life on your own.


Grief Takes Many Forms
Grief isn't just about sadness. You may be in shock and just sit and stare at nothing. Or you may have a range of intense feelings. From moment to moment, you may:

  • Not want to believe the loss is real
  • Feel annoyed or outright angry
  • Think you could have done something to stop the loss
  • Have dark, sad moods and feel hopeless or in despair
  • Feel guilty for being relieved
  • Accept that the loss is real and that you can cope

Facing Loss Head-On
Healing from a loss starts with facing facts. Accept that the loss did happen. As a result, your life changed in some ways. Know that you're likely to have feelings about it for a long time–maybe forever. As you accept these things, you can begin to grieve. With time, you can go on to find happiness in your life. Accepting the loss does not mean you'll forget it. But acceptance does allow hope and joy to be part of your life again. 		3a11268
"I still miss my husband terribly. But my daughters need me. I'm ready to rebuild my life."


 
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Last Revised 07/2009 20351091(1)-12/03-EBS-CON