Recognize the Stages of Grief to Manage Your Anxiety

Stages of grief normally commence with a feeling of sadness, yet anger is also an inevitable step of the grieving process. When a human being suffers the loss of love, of a job, of a relationship, or even the loss of their health, frustration, confusion, and feelings can be realized. They might also wonder why the death has happened, and it might include self-blame, others, or even the deceased. 

Meanwhile, one can vent this anger at the universe, destiny, or situations that just seem unjust. Grieving is not only about death, but it can occur with any change or loss in our lives that we face. Accepting anger is an important action when recovering from emotions. 

What Are the Stages of Grief​?

The five stages of grief describe the process of emotion that most people experience following a loss that is brought about by death, separation, or a change in life. Therefore, these five simple stages are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Some of the most common reactions of people following trauma are shock or disbelief, frustration, or anger. They are enabled to bargain, followed by deep regret, and can ultimately find a reason to accept the loss.

Additionally, all these stages are not consecutive, and all people experience grief in the same way. Some can skip some steps or even repeat them. Cycles of grief. Grief is an experience that may be time-consuming, and there is no right or wrong in it. Hence, it is simply the question of placing yourself in the position of experiencing your feelings and having someone to turn to at the times you require. This can be either your close ones or a mental health worker.

Symptoms of Grief and Anxiety

Here are the symptoms of grief and anxiety:

• Sadness or strong emotional suffering
• Sleeplessness or sleeping problems
• Opting to be overworked or powerless
• Appetite (eating too much or too little)
• Constant worrying or fear
• Being fidgety or feeling edgy
• Inability to focus or to make a decision
• Retirement from social lives or relationships
• Panic attacks or racing thoughts

How Long Do Grief Stages Last?

Grief stages take different periods to be overcome based on the individual. Some could improve after weeks or months, and there are people who could take much longer. You might spend a lot of time at some stage, like when you are very sad or angry, or might spend less at some stage. It is also normal that there is going back and forth among stages. It can be days when all things are okay, and there are also days when one can be caught unawares by the sadness.

In addition, grieving may be such a personalized phenomenon, and the grieving person is not at fault for how they feel. A person should treat themselves with kindness and live day by day. It can help to communicate with a friend, to be a member of support groups, to keep a diary, and to talk to a counselor. Thus, pain will one day be easier to live with, but you might not be able to forget about the person and the circumstance that you lost.

Five Stages of Grief and Loss​

1. Denial

At this point, individuals can find it hard to accept that it occurred. The mind finds some way to defend itself against excessive pain. You can be in a state of shock or anesthetized. Denial will assist you in slowing down the grieving process. It allows you to digest the news.

2. Anger

As it becomes less and less possible to deny, one is more likely to feel frustrated and angry. You may be angry at yourself, other people, or the circumstances. It is a normal means to get Rid of emotional agony. Anger is distressing. It’s part of healing, but it is normal and important.

3. Bargaining

In this phase, human beings tend to have rationalizations of what can or should have been possible. They can attempt to negotiate in their minds, to alter the outcome. Bargaining is one of the methods of reestablishing control. It also comes with guilt. This phase is an expression of an intense wish to reverse the loss.

4. Depression

Loss of a loved one can strike with deep sadness and feelings of emptiness when you become aware of what you lost. You can be fatigued, shed more tears, or get to lack interest in doing things during the day. Such a phase is not a weakness. It is usual to go through the grieving process. You can cope by talking to someone.

5. Acceptance

The fifth step in this process is to acknowledge the loss. It does not mean you are over it, but you learn to cope with it. New routines and methods of moving on may become available to you. Peace can be obtained through acceptance. It enables genuine healing to occur.

What Is the Most Painful Stage of Grief?

The most agonizing stage of grief is the depression stage. This is the time when the loss becomes real, and this instance may be very sad, desolate, and lonely. You may find yourself throwing out some tears here and there, you may always feel tired, and you may as well be losing interest in activities you used to enjoy doing. It is normal to believe that everything in life has changed, and it might be hard to be a positive thinker.

Furthermore, though this is a very heavy step, it is not irreversible. You can talk to your friends and relatives or even a counselor and gain relief. Every person grieves differently at varying speeds. Gradually, you will handle the cycles of grief with ease, and perhaps you will find some peace in the world again. Sometimes, when life becomes so hard to face and deal with alone, a helping hand goes far.

Coping with the Grief and Anxiety

1. Give Yourself a Chance

Grief may be accompanied by an avalanche of emotions, which are heavy and confusing. Other than avoiding the suffering, allow yourself to experience pain. Scream it out (if you must), speak to someone whom you trust, or simply sit and think awhile. Enabling yourself to undergo the loss makes way for healing. Rushing to the process is not necessary as well; your feelings are justified and should be addressed.

2. Never Neglect Your Feelings

It may appear that by suppressing the emotions, we can easily avoid complications, and yet by doing so, we can cause larger emotional outbursts (or inner distress). Rather, just sit with that emotion, even though it is uncomfortable to be in. When it hurts, you can learn to accept your grief and, in this way, to proceed towards recovery in a healthier manner.

3. Find Healthy Ways

Grief requires a release, and getting in a constructive medium to express your grief is a must. Not everybody is the same; we all have different ways of coping, but it is good to select those ways that can make you feel good and safe.

4. Open New Horizons

When one has lost a loved one, the tendency is to be lost in sorrow to the extent that one forgets about other people. Attempt to distance yourself and look at the situation in new ways. What is the way that other people are managing? Could there be anything that they are feeling? This does not diminish your sorrow but can assist in coming to an understanding, compassion, and even healing. Taking a higher view of the situation usually diminishes the feelings of isolation and resentment.

5. Practice on your Cycle

In some cases, cycles of grief do not move you out of the same ways of sadness, anger, or feelings of hopelessness. Every day can be full of the same emotional roller coaster feeling. To start with changing this cycle, you can start with some small steps that have positive energy, such as starting the day with some goals, engagement in various activities, or changing thoughts in a slight and acceptable way.

Bottom Line

Mental health can be severely disrupted by cycles of grief, which in most cases result in depression, anxiety, or even sleep. We are aware of how the stages of grief can affect a person on an emotional level and provide emotional support in the form of individualized treatment programs at MAVA Behavioral Health.

Lastly, to assist those who have difficulties coping, our top-notch psychiatric providers to alleviate such symptoms as uncontrollable sadness, mood changes, or chronic sleep loss. We pay special attention to your individual experience and track your progression, which allows us to provide safe and effective care. As a patient who is experiencing the loss of a loved one or a major life change, we will assist you with empathy and proper medication consultation.

FAQs

What are the 3Cs of grief?

Choose, connect, and communicate are the 3 Cs of grief. They remind us to resort to healthy strategies to deal with the problem, to utilize others as sources of support, and to exercise honesty in expressing our feelings so that we can initiate the healing process.

Grief and mourning, what is the distinction?

Grief refers to the inner emotional state related to a loss, sadness, or anger, and mourning is the external expression of grief, which may be shaped by culture, ceremony, or how a person conducts themself following a loss.

What is the length of the grieving process?

There is no set amount of time that grief lasts; it depends on each person. This process may take weeks or months and even years, so some people are free of it faster and some slower. It is important to give yourself that time to recover.

What are the symptoms of grief?

When your bereavement becomes more than you can handle, when it takes a long time or stops you moving on with your life, it is best to seek assistance through a mental health professional who can help, suggest ways and aids and refer you to medicated treatment when needed.

Is it possible to treat grief symptoms using medication?

Yes, when there is depression, anxiety, or serious sleep disturbances due to grief, there is the possibility of prescribing medication to help with emotional distress. At the MAVA Behavioral Health provider, a person can be assessed and directed to treatment.