possible that at some point you may come in contact with that person as facts of the crash are learned. But it’s also possible that you may never know all of the details of who witnessed the crash or what your loved one’s last moments were like; some of those details are lost in the chaos surrounding an emergency. Even if you didn’t have the chance to say goodbye, it’s very likely that your loved one knew how much you cared about them. Physical Responses to Traumatic Grief Illnesses Related to Grief During the first six months to a year after a fatal crash, people who are grieving are vulner- able to physical illness. Physical complaints, aches, and illness are all common in people dealing with grief. Your body’s immune system is working overtime, and you may feel worn out. This is your body’s reaction to the trauma you have experienced. You may have difficulty sleeping, or you may want to sleep all the time. You may feel nau- seous and quit eating, or feel extremely hungry and eat more than you normally would. Maintain regular contact with your physician for a year or two to be sure that you do not have a stress-related physical condition. During this early period of grief, eat well, get plenty of rest, and see your doctor if the problems persist. Substance Use Some people find
the pain too difficult and turn to alcohol or drugs to ease the pain. Unfortunately, there
Don’t consider seeking help a weakness.
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