Information & Support pack WA - Living is for Everyone

11 Questions about grief11What is grief?Grief is the pain experienced following a loss. Grief is a natural response to loss. Everyone suffers manytypes of loss but the death of someone close to you is probably the most painful loss of all.Loss has been described as an emotional wound. Just as physical wounds take time and effort to heal, sotoo does an emotional wound.“The process of grieving is important as eventually it allows you to come to terms with your loss. Coming toterms with your loss does not mean forgetting your loved one, as their memory will always remain preciousto you. It means accepting they are no longer around. Grieving is a normal process but is very painful andpersonal and does not happen in just a few days or weeks.” (1)Grief is hard work. It takes considerable emotional and physical energy.There are four important parts to grieving:1. Understanding the loss is real2. Suffering - feeling the pain of the loss3. Recovering - learning to live without your loved one4. Reinvesting the emotional energy of grief into life again. (2)What does grief look like?PhysicalExhaustionHeadachesNauseaChange in sexual interestMuscular achesCognitiveForgetfulnessLack of concentrationConfusionPoor memoryEmotionalAngerSadnessDisbeliefGuiltDespairLonelinessBehaviouralDisturbed sleepChanges in appetiteSocial withdrawalCryingVivid dreams about the person who has diedThese are all normal reactions to a sudden loss. Some people will experience many of these, others justa few. Each person is unique. Your ways of coping with the loss may be different from the ways of yourpartner, siblings or friends.Factors which will affect how you grieve include:■■■■■■■■■■■■■■Your personalityYour relationship with the personGenderCultural backgroundPrevious lossesPhysical healthYour age31