Menu
Grief is often misunderstood. You could be grieving a big, well-recognized loss such as the loss of a loved one. However, grief also can be present in other types of situations such as the loss of what you thought your life would be, a change in jobs, or the end of a relationship. All grief, in various types of situations, is a reaction to loss. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross is well-known for her explanation of the grieving process. She asserts that grief is comprised of five stages:
A common misconception of grief is that it is a straightforward step-by-step process. Grief is not linear! You may not start at #1, you may not go in order, and you could go back and forth between stages. You could pass a “checkpoint” and think it has been conquered, but that is simply not true for everyone. You may come to a place of acceptance yet not feel that you have
mastered the grieving process. It could be years later that you see something that brings up those pangs of loss. Don’t despair, the moments of grief can come and go in waves, and that is ok! Please recognize that all grieving looks different. Some individuals withdraw and appear depressed. Life may feel too difficult to put extra energy into things. Conversely, some may keep themselves extremely busy to remain distracted. There is not a correct or incorrect way to grieve. Each person is distinct, and each loss is unique. Grief therapy can help you to cope with a loss (whether it is upcoming, currently developing, or has already occurred) and move forward in life on your own timeline.
Kübler-Ross, E. (1970). On death and dying. Macmillan.
Written by: Brandy Burnham
