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What Is Grief?
Grief is a natural response to loss. It’s the emotional suffering you feel when something or someone you love is taken away. Grief is also a reaction to any loss. The grief associated with death is familiar to most of us, but we grieve a wide variety of losses throughout our lives. When understanding the different kinds of loss it can help us to think about loss in two different categories, first being physical or symbolic. Physical loss is more easily recognizable because it means that it is tangible and it is something that you can touch, losing your spouse through death. While symbolic are abstract and cannot be touched, they are aspects of a person’s social interactions.

Other Examples of Loss:

	A relationship breakup

	Loss of health

	Losing a job

	Loss of financial stability 	Tramatic experiences

	Divorce

	Relocation

Grieving Process
First every step of the process is natural and healthy, it is only when a person gets stuck in one step for a long period of time then the grieving can become unhealthy, destructive and even dangerous. When going through the grieving process it is not the same for everyone, but everyone does have a common goal, acceptance of the loss and to always keep moving forward. This process is different for every person but can be understood in three different steps.

Shock Shock is the initial reaction to loss. Shock is the person’s emotional protection from being too suddenly overwhelmed by the loss. Suffering Suffering is a long period of grief and the most painful and protracted stage for the griever. But during which the person gradually comes to terms with the reality of the loss. The suffering process typically involves a wide range of feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. Suffering can include feelings of anger, guilt, sadness, and anxiety.

Recovery This is the goal of grieving, is not the elimination of all the pain or the memories of the loss. Instead, the goal is to reorganize one’s life so that the loss is one important part of life rather than the center of one’s life.

The Five Identities Of Grievers
The Nomad Nomads have not yet resolved their grief and they do not seem to understand the loss that has affected their lives.

The Memorialist This identity is committed to preserving the memory of the loved one that they have lost.

The Noramlizers This identity is committed to re-creating a sense of family and community.

The Activists This identity focuses on helping other people who are dealing with the same disease or issues that caused their loved one's death.

'The Seekers This identity will adopt religious, philosophical, or spiritual beliefs to create meaning in their lives.