Grief happens to everyone, but nothing truly prepares us for its arrival, especially when a loss is particularly intense or strikes without warning. The unexpected loss of a loved one, the aftermath of a fatal accident, an act of violence, or suicide can change our lives in an instant, leaving us reeling in ways that an anticipated loss rarely does.
When a loss comes suddenly or traumatically, it can leave you in shock and disbelief. It is often difficult to come to terms with what happened. These types of losses are deeply personal, unpredictable, and complex. Let’s learn more about how you can deal with grief following a sudden or traumatic loss.
Understanding Grief After Sudden Loss
Losses that are sudden or traumatic often leave loved ones and survivors in a state of complete and utter disbelief. Some very real signs and symptoms can start to appear in the mind and body. These include mental symptoms like numbness or confusion, and some of the physical symptoms include insomnia, nausea, or fatigue.
Since traumatic and sudden losses come without any type of warning, there’s no time for loved ones to emotionally prepare for the loss. This can make the grieving process prolonged and more intense. These types of losses can also bring on other layers like anger, fear, and guilt.
In some cases, people even start to replay the loss over and over again, feeling haunted by it. This can turn into complicated grief, which involves feeling stuck and unable to get back to the life you had before the loss occurred.
Common Emotional Responses
There isn’t a specific timeline that everyone follows with grief. It’s a unique process that affects everyone differently. That being said, there are common emotional responses to sudden or traumatic losses:
- Anger
- Anxiety
- Denial
- Fear
- Flashbacks
- Guilt
- Intrusive thoughts
- Sadness
- Shock
Healthy Ways to Cope
Healing is possible with the right amount of patience, support, and time. There isn’t a quick fix for feeling like yourself again after experiencing a loss, but there are strategies that can help you regain your sense of self.
Allow Yourself to Feel
It may feel easier to bury those feelings deep down inside of yourself, but that will just prolong the grieving process. Allow yourself to feel. The sooner you do so, the sooner you can process and move forward.
Practice Self-Care
Grief can cause a lot of disruptions to your normal daily life and routine. Taking care of yourself can help you return to your normal day-to-day schedule before the loss happened. Ensure you’re fueling your body with healthy meals, aiming for at least eight hours of sleep each night, and incorporating daily physical activity.
Give Yourself Grace
Healing takes time. Try to be patient with yourself. Some days will feel harder than others. There isn’t a date that you can circle on your calendar that you can expect to be fully healed by. Keep in mind that it’s perfectly normal to experience ups and downs along the way. This is part of the process.
Seek Additional Support
Grief is a normal part of loss. The signs and symptoms you experience from it should fade with time. If this doesn’t happen and you notice that it’s negatively impacting your daily life and ability to function, it may be time to reach out for additional support.
You can lean on loved ones, join a support group, or reach out to a licensed and trained mental health professional for support. Counseling for grief can help provide you with a safe space to openly and honestly express yourself, process your trauma, and learn how to cope. Contact us today to set up an initial consultation.
