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Life Notes: The Many Faces of Griefby Erin Rockett What mental picture develops upon hearing the word "grief"? A funeral, or a family crying by the picture of the deceased? Both images are accurate, but grieving is triggered by numerous unfortunate life events. For example, military deployment, divorce, family moves, medical diagnoses, and job/school changes can trigger grief. While the understood definition of grief is "sadness in response to loss", the act of grieving occurs over time. Grief experts delineate the grief process into phases. According to Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, grief stages include denial/isolation, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Others define grief as "the process of letting go of loss, and rebuilding the present." Individual loss responses may differ greatly from typical television grief portrayals. Grieving is a personalized process which varies depending on age, cultural and religious affiliation, and social support system. Many openly share their pain, but others prefer grieving privately among loved ones. People gradually return to activities within weeks, but grieving and healing continue for months and years. If someone suffering recent loss is completely unable to function after a few weeks, then professional help may be needed from clergy, social workers, psychologists, counselors, or family therapists. Even if professional assistance is not needed, grieving individuals MUST give extra attention to themselves during healing. Proper rest, nutrition, and exercise are key elements to maintaining health. Studies show grieving or stressed individuals may be more illness- prone. In addition, family and social activities assist in building new life connections when displacement from loss is keenly felt. And finally, people need to give themselves permission to grieve and understand the process. Sadness is triggered by random events: greeting card commercials, familiar scents, or calls from childhood friends. Giving ourselves permission to grieve creates space and energy to rebuild lives and develop new resources. Life Notes: Complete List 2004 2003 The Life Notes articles are written by staff of Louisiana Methodist Children's Home and are published in The Ruston Daily Leader. | |||
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