Grief

What is grief?

Grief is an emotion that often accompanies the loss of a loved one. Losing someone you care for can be distressing and difficult to overcome on your own. Fortunately, My Psych Health offers grief counseling and medication management to give you the support and comfort needed to recover after a loss.

What are the symptoms of grief?

Symptoms commonly associated with grief include:

• Depression
• Intense emotional pain and sorrow
• Constantly thinking about a lost loved one
• Difficulty concentrating
• Loss of interest in favorite activities
• Longing for a loved one
• Difficulty accepting a death
• Detachment 
• Feeling numb
• Bitterness
• Hopelessness
• Guilt
• Shame
• Social withdrawal
• Thoughts of suicide

You might also experience anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or physical pain. Some people turn to drugs or alcohol in times of grief, although doing so is counterproductive. 

What are the risk factors for debilitating grief?

Some people are more likely to experience extreme grief. Risk factors include the death of a child, an unexpected or violent death, a close relationship with someone who has passed away, and a lack of a strong social support network. 

A history of abuse or neglect, separation anxiety, PTSD, depression, financial hardship, and other stressors may increase the chance of severe grief symptoms.

How is grief diagnosed?

Your My Psych Health provider completes an initial evaluation to determine if you have grief or other mental health disorders associated with it. They review your symptoms, lifestyle, medical history, and medications.

Your specialist asks questions about your mood, emotions, thoughts, and behavior tendencies during a psychiatric evaluation before tailoring your treatment plan.

How is grief treated?

My Psych Health offers medication management, psychotherapy, and counseling to help you overcome worrisome symptoms of grief. The team uses various therapy methods and social support to help you navigate through a loss without crippling effects. 

You might take certain medications and meet with a therapist individually, as a group, or with other family members via telehealth. Therapy sessions typically last about an hour. You might speak with your mental health specialist once weekly or as needed.

They follow up with you throughout your healing journey to overcome grief in a safe, healthy, and effective way. It’s also important to minimize stress, get plenty of sleep, exercise regularly, and eat nutritious food. Avoid turning to nicotine, drugs, or alcohol.

Contact the My Psych Health team if you have new symptoms, concerns, or questions about your mental health treatment plan.

Call My Psych Health or use the online booking tab today to overcome the challenges of grief.