Emotions during the Grieving Process

I have been asked to host this guest post by Richard Moyle from the Mesothelioma Cancer Center at Asbestos.com.

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Someone who has lost a loved one, whether it is through a tragic accident or a disease like malignant mesothelioma, will go through a range of emotions following the death.

Some psychologists have put these emotions in order, organizing different "grief cycles" that progress through various stages, predicting how the bereaved might feel at a certain point in the process.

However, the fact remains that everyone grieves differently. Some people will go through these emotions quickly while others may take long periods of time in some or all of them. There is no "correct" way to mourn and the bereaved should keep in mind that all the feelings one experiences are normal though sometimes very uncomfortable or even upsetting.

Some of the intense emotions most often experienced during the grieving process might include:

Disbelief – The person left behind often has trouble grasping the fact that their loved one is gone. A person who is experiencing disbelief will often say things like, "This isn’t happening to me."

Confusion – Often distinguished by difficulty concentrating, a dazed appearance, and sometimes depersonalization, confusion is often a result of being thrust into a new scenario that doesn’t include the one who has passed on.

Shock – This emotion generally occurs immediately after the death. Shock can last just a few hours or several days. It can cause bewilderment and confusion and may even lead to temporary memory loss.

Sadness – This is a typical and likely response to the death of a loved one and it could continue for months or even years. Intense sorrow, however, should be watched as it can lead to severe depression.

Humiliation – Though they are certainly not to blame, some bereaved individuals are embarrassed about their situation and feel humiliated when with others.

Guilt – There is a frequent feeling among those left behind that maybe they could have done more for the person who passed on. Generally, these emotions are not justified and should be dealt with by a counselor should they continue to manifest themselves as they could lead to depression.

Grieving is natural, normal, and certainly crucial, and feeling these and other emotions will help the process move along. However, any one of these emotions can get out of hand and hinder daily life. When an emotion reaches that point, it may be necessary to ask for guidance, either from family members and friends or from a professional.