What Is Unresolved Grief
I grieved for my mother for 30 years, but I couldn’t help it. I looked for her on the street, sobbed when I saw other mothers and daughters having fun. Even shopping for clothes made me sad because it was something we used to do together. This was beyond typical sadness, I had unresolved grief.
My First Experience In Grieving
My mom died of cancer a few years after I married, and three weeks before my son was born. A few months later my husband quit his job and didn’t find another for nine months. All three events, marriage, death of a loved one, and loss of a job are high stress. My coping skills always kick in when times get tough, but I didn’t stop active suffering about my mom. People do get stuck in their losses and it isn’t always a death. It can be a change of circumstance, or even marriage itself. It’s important to recognize what you’re feeling so you can take steps to lift the burden.
For me and the loss of my mom one problem was I did not have the opportunity of a proper “goodbye.” Even though I had sat with my mom throughout her illness and was pregnant for nine months of it, she never gave me her blessing or wished me well with my baby. She was not able to say goodbye. Doubly painful was the fact that my children grew up without a grandmother. This was cause for my grieving on their behalf, too. Grief is often about much more than just the passing because of the many extra feelings associated with it. This is also true for job loss, change of circumstances, moving, etc. There are some 40 life experiences that can cause grief.
Although sorrow is a normal reaction, unresolved grief has a more traumatic impact. As a result it can have a negative effect on one’s life. You may be asking yourself, “How do I know if I have unresolved grief?”
Signs of Unresolved Grief
Although many of sufferers try to pretend that they are “over it” for various reasons, the following are some of the tell-tale signs that someone is grieving:
Preoccupation with sad or painful memories
Refusal to talk about the loss at all
Increase in alcohol, food, drug, or cigarette usage.Antisocial behavior
Overindulge in hobbies, work, or exercise activities
Lack of energy
Difficulty concentrating
Isolation from friends and family
How Children Express Unresolved Grief
Develop behavior problems
Have Fear of being alone
Become more aggressive
Perform worse at school
How Teens Express Unresolved Grief
Using drugs
Drinking Alcohol
Stealing
Have unprotected sex
Become accident prone
Withdraw from friends
Have difficulty completing schoolwork
Young children may show unresolved grief by developing behavior problems or expressing fears about being alone, especially at night.
If left untreated, the long term effects can be devastating to future relationships and every day activities, such as work and what used to be enjoyable hobbies. Here are some things that can be done to help resolve the unsettled feelings.
Validate Feelings
Everyone has a right to sad feelings. Even though others may not understand your feelings or fail to empathize with you, it is important for you to empathize with yourself. It is also important for you to empathize with children and teens who are suffering. Give everyone permission to process, naturally, the loss they have experienced.
Reach Out
No matter how small it may be, build a support network. Whether it is that one special friend who can listen without judgement, or an online group on social media. It’s important to have someone to turn to if you need a shoulder to cry on or a new outlook in order to get you through a rough moment.
Some Causes Of Unresolved Grief
Unresolved grief can be caused by pretty much anything big or small. If something, someone, or an event was important to you. You may not even think something that happened long ago may continue to nag at you now. There are some 40 life events that can cause unresolved grief. Here are some:
Death of a spouse
Divorce
Marital separation
Imprisonment
Death of a close family member
Personal injury or illness
Marriage
Dismissal from work
Marital reconciliation
Retirement
Change in health of family member
Pregnancy
Sexual difficulties
Gain a new family member
Business readjustment
Change in financial state
Death of a close friend
Change to different line of work
Change in frequency of arguments
Major mortgage
Foreclosure of mortgage or loan
Change in responsibilities at work
Child leaving home
Trouble with in-laws
Outstanding personal achievement
Spouse starts or stops work
Begin or end school
Change in living conditions
Revision of personal habits
Trouble with boss
New working hours or conditions
Change in residence
New schools
Change in recreation
Beginning or ending church activities
Change in social activities
Minor mortgage or loan
Change in sleeping habits
Change in number of family reunions
Starting a new eating habit
Vacation>
Christmas
Minor violation of law
Loss of Trust, Approval, Safety and Control of one’s body
There is no definite point in time or a list of symptoms that define unresolved grief. Unresolved grief lasts longer than usual for a person’s social circle or cultural background. It may also be used to describe grief that does not go away or interferes with the person’s ability to take care of daily responsibilities. People with unresolved grief who do not seek treatment are more likely to develop other mental health and physical problems.
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