What is mourning?

Mourning is a person’s reaction to loss. Emotionally, we experience it as melancholy, which manifests itself on various levels from sadness to grief or despair. Our minds, on the other hand, find themselves in chaos and confusion. Memories of a lost object appear intensely. Some ventilate their loss by crying, others retreat into seclusion, with the exception of manifestations of aggression. Mourning may be accompanied by sleep disorders, a change in appetite, or a temporary escape with the use of alcohol or inflamed spirituality (in an effort to find an explanation). Everyone experiences mourning very differentlyy, what unites us is that it will paralyze our lives for a while and affect us in terms of experience, behavior and thinking.

What are the stages of mourning?

Often, people that are mourning are helped by knowing that mourning has its laws. It takes place in phases, it has its beginning and an end. It thus offers the hope that if we go through the crisis without denying it, it will end one day and we can enter a new phase of life as more mature and conscious personalities. Mourning is most often described in the sequence of the following phases: denial (this cannot be true.), Anger (how could this happen? Who is to blame?), Bargaining (maybe they were wrong, there is no further examination.), Depression (nothing anymore has value.), andreconciliation (I accept whatever comes.).

How can I help another cope with the death of a loved one?

Death is a difficult topic for many reasons, especially with someone who has just been struck in life, it can paralyze us. We look for suitable words, we try to calm down, sometimes at any cost. However, comforting with well-meaning advice often doesn’t help much. It turns out that you will provide much more support to the mourner if you are just close or ready to listen. But it’s not even just that, being an emotional vampire is difficult in itself. In addition, the subject of death can open up our own fears and traumas. Often even loved ones close to grieving people need space for themselves. Psychotherapy offers such a space, allowing you to face your own questions in a safe environment and get the necessary support for yourself.

How long does mourning last? How long is it normal to feel grief after losing a loved one?

Grief belongs to the loss of a loved one. At first, it may seem like it will last forever and never end. It’s intensity can stabilize and increase at different points in the year (e.g., Christmas, anniversaries, or birthdays).  Mourning can take a year, or but even four. It is said that the time of mourning depends on the intensity of the relationship we had with the deceased. If you feel that you are still unable to return to life after a long period of time, it may be a good idea to talk to an expert. Theey will not only listen to you, but also help you to “indulge” in what you may have pushed away in fear of pain.

How can psychotherapy help me with grief?

Psychotherapy is a space where you can resolve emotions that you would not otherwise have a chance to resolve in everyday life, such as intense longing for the deceased, anger at the whole world or self-pity. You will not be alone in any of this. It can also bring relief by working on the way we communicate with friends or colleagues about our loss when it comes up. This can also be a source of stress for the mourner. The goal should be to accept what happened and return to a happy life.