• Anxiety/Panic : C.S. Lewis once said, “No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear.” Emotions of grief can feel foreign and scary! You may feel as though you’re losing your mind and won’t be able to function. You may also fear the future and worry something else might happen. Try to calm down with a brisk walk or an activity that distracts you. Contact your doctor if symptoms become too intense to handle on your own. • Sadness : You don’t enjoy activities or people anymore. Life feels like the pits. You may not care whether or not you wake up tomorrow. There are days when the sadness might feel overwhelming and other days it doesn’t feel as intense. If you feel immobilized by your sadness or have thoughts of harming yourself, please seek professional help. • Confused/Disoriented : You feel disoriented and find it difficult to concentrate. You forget where you put things and have trouble following conversations. Be patient with yourself. Make lists. Do tasks for 15 minutes at a time. Ask others to remind you of appointments you may have. Be flexible with your expectations in resuming social activities. Common Reactions to Loss Listed below, in no set order, are some common responses to loss. Perhaps you will identify with some of these.
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