Comforting Someone Dealing With Anticipatory Grief

Dealing with anticipatory grief is tough to deal with, may it be after death or before, it is acceptable that there's no topic more difficult to deal with than grieving. And this is where the beauty of friendship comes. More than sharing all those happy and fun times, all those sharing secrets and stories, the true test of friendship can arise during those difficult times when we cope with grief, particularly with anticipatory grief.

Of course, we all want to help and be there for our friends and buddies when and if that time happens. But where to start and how do we go about it? Preparation is very helpful here. If ever you've had grieving experiences before, imagine how you felt at that time.

You can actually become familiar with the grieving process, and that also includes anticipatory grief. And while we're into it, you can make an effort with these tried and tested tips. 1. First and foremost, be a good listener to your friend. The mere act of listening to a person dealing with anticipatory grief will help someone feel lighter, release their pained emotions, and will aid them in talking about their loss.

Asking questions to an anguished friend will bring to mind the memory of his/her dying loved one. 2. Be there for your friend-be accessible. Since your friend is stressed and lonely, you can always try to be there for her/him. You can say, "I'll always be here if ever you need me", "I'm just a text or phone call away", "You can call me anytime", or "I'll be happy to be your designated driver this week".

You know, little things like those can be a big help for someone coping with anticipatory grief. 3. Be decisive-ask your loved ones how you could help them. Sometimes a person can be so drowned in their own sorrow and distress that they don't know what they need. You may step in and be a shoulder to cry on.

4. Patience is a virtue, so use it-- accept that your pal might take a long time to come into terms with normalcy and reality and the imminent loss. And this is where you must put your patience to the test. Anticipate but willingly accept to hear stories being rehashed over again and over again, but that's okay.

Just bear in mind and be grateful that she chose you as his/her sounding board and he/she trusts you that much. 5. Be helpful and sensible-- also, try offering to assist in some daily tasks. Some daily or mundane tasks like buying dog food, making phone calls, babysitting kids, preparing meals, grocery shopping or driving the kids home can be a great deal of help and support for the individual mourning or experiencing anticipatory grief.

Especially during this time, a person's appetite diminishes-so it's very helpful if you prepare meal food in advance. Also, be honest to tell them if they need professional help if extremely depressed. Bereavement counselors, therapy sessions and support groups can offer very effective advice.

About The Author
The author of this article, Amy Twain, is a Self Improvement Coach who has been successfully coaching and guiding clients for many years. Amy recently published a new home study course on how to boost your Self Esteem. Click here to get more info about her Quick-Action Plan for A More Confident You.

The Stages of Grief We Experience

It is very essential to understand and realize that recognizing or admitting the grief promotes the healing process. Grief in itself is a natural and normal reaction or response to loss. It happens in response to the loss of something or a person most especially close to you.

The Stages of Grief.

It?s important to note that the stages of grief exist; nevertheless, they don?t represent any particular way to react or respond to loss. Instead, the stages of grief reveal a wide range of responses which may arise as a person begins to makes sense of how this loss is affecting them.

Time and support assist and encourage the process of grieving, likewise, welcoming the opportunity to mourn appropriately.

1. Shock, numbness and denial-- being numb is actually a natural reaction to an immediate loss and therefore should not be mistaken or

confused with apathy or lack of caring. This serves to guard or protect the person from undergoing through the intensity or degree of the loss.

The feelings of disbelief and denial would gradually minimize as the person slowly recognizes the impact or effect of this loss and its accompanying emotions. 2. Bargaining?this stage of grief could provide the insight into the effect or intensity of one?s loss; however, if not properly determined or addressed, some deep feelings of guilt or regret may surface and may get in the way of the healing process.

Seldom, individuals might muse or meditate about what could have been done to keep the loss from happening. People can become engrossed or preoccupied about thinking or analyzing all the things that can never be or about some ways that things could have been better or what might have been.

3. Depression?for most people, this must be experienced in order to start recovering and reorganizing their life. During this phase, some emotions of emptiness, isolation, loneliness and self-pity could arise participating in this reactive depression. Some of the common symptoms of being depressed are: frequent crying spells, lack of focus and energy, and appetite and sleep disturbances.

4. Anger?emotions of resentment may result from feeling abandoned, occurring in cases of death or tragedy. The feeling of anger may surface toward one?s higher power or toward life as a whole for the injustice felt of the loss. After a person admits and acknowledges anger, remorse may come out due to expressing these negative emotions.

These feelings are just normal and should be valued for grief to be resolved. This response typically takes place when someone feels powerless and hopeless.

5. The final stage of Acceptance?the whole grieving process supports the person. Time allows the human being the opportunity to resolve the extent of emotions that rise.That is, healing process takes place when the loss becomes integrated into the person?s set of life?s experiences.

Guidelines that help in resolving grief:

1. Express emotions openly; crying offers release

2. Give time to experience feelings and thoughts openly to yourself.

3. Tell the story of a loss; confide in a trusted person.

4. Seek professional help if the healing process becomes too upsetting.


About The Author
The author of this article, Amy Twain, is a Self Improvement Coach who has been successfully coaching and guiding clients for many years. Amy recently published a new home study course on how to boost your Self Esteem. Click here to get more info about her Quick-Action Plan for A More Confident You.