Grief and Loss Counseling in Wilmington, NC
Everyone will experience the loss of a friend or loved one at some point in his or her life. You will grieve the death of someone you care about, the end of a relationship, a move to a new area, the loss of a pet, a serious medical illness or injury or even the loss of a career or job. Individual reactions to loss differ from person to person. The grieving process often occurs in stages, each of which brings with it different emotions. Healing from a significant loss is a process. It’s often disorganized – even messy at times. One person’s journey may look entirely different from another’s. The journey may be different for everyone, but there is no right or wrong way to grieve.
Symptoms of Grief
Grief is not limited to feelings of sadness. “A variety of reactions occur from the loss of a loved one but common responses are sadness, loneliness, anger, regret, and mood swings,” explains Jaimie Orndorff, a Licensed Psychologist at our Wilmington office. “There are also times when those left behind feel relieved that their loved one is no longer suffering and even numb or emotionless states where it’s hard to identify a feeling.”
Emotions related to grief and loss can be surprising in their strength, mildness, or sudden onset when reminded of the loss that has occurred. This can also be so confusing! One person may find themselves grieving a painful relationship. Another may mourn a loved one who died from cancer and yet feels relief that the person is no longer suffering. Common symptoms include:
- Loss of appetite
- Withdrawal from family and friends
- Feelings of shock or denial
- Sudden crying
- Increased irritability
- A lack of desire to engage in activities
- Increased anxiety
- Difficulty maintaining focus on routine tasks
- Fatigue
The Five Stages of Grief
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross originally developed the Five Stages of Grief model to illustrate the process of grief for terminally ill patients. Kubler-Ross’s model suggests that there are five stages of grief: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance. Some confusion exists in regards to the states including whether or not one must go through each stage and if they must be in order. Research indicates that’s not how grief works most of the time. No one can tell you how long this process will last, but you can be confident that the counselors of Thriveworks Counseling and Coaching in Wilmington will help you through this time of loss so that you can find a new outlook on life.
We’re Here to Help! Call Thriveworks in Wilmington, NC
At Thriveworks, we offer convenient appointment times in both in-person and online therapy formats to accommodate your needs. We can schedule your appointment with a grief counselor in the same week, often in less than 48 hours. Don’t spend another day trying to work through your grief and loss alone. Get connected with a grief therapist in Wilmington today! Call us to schedule your appointment: (910) 247-4818
