Grieving parent's ask if their reactions are normal. Am I acting normal? Behaving normal? are my feelings, normal? I usually ask, "What do you think is suppose to be normal when the absolute worst thing imaginable has happened to you?" Whatever reaction you are having is one someone, somewhere, sometime has also experienced under similar circumstances. There are no two people with the same set of fingerprints....each person is a separate and unique individual.
The Feelings, Behaviors, and Physical Symptoms of Grief:
A. FEELINGS
Shock ~ Denial ~ Disbelief ~ Numbness ~ Confusion ~ Alarmed ~ Restless ~ Frustrated ~ Relieved ~ Anguished ~ Lonely ~ Depressed ~ Irritable ~ Abandoned ~ Anxious ~ Sad ~ Guilt ~ Anger/Rage ~ Yearning ~ Despair ~ Hopeless ~ Inadequate ~ Shame ~ Worthless ~ Failure ~ Fear of Death ~ Peace ~ Resolution
B. BEHAVIORS
Disorganized ~ Turning Inward ~ Seek Solitude ~ Unable to Concentrate ~ Withdrawn Disoriented ~ Dreaming ~ Carry out rituals ~Regression ~ Blameful/Critical ~ Non-assertive ~ Apathetic ~ Seek Forgiveness ~ Preoccupied with the deceased ~ Carry objects of deceased ~ Become Forgetful ~ Sense presence of the deceased ~ Sense of Emancipation ~ Increased substance use
C.PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS
Sighing ~ Crying ~ Something stuck in throat ~Emptiness in gut ~ Shortness of breath ~ Dizziness ~ Fatigue ~ Headaches ~ Insomnia ~ Appetite loss ~ Increased/Decreased Activity ~ Startle Response ~ Stomach Problems ~ Sexual desire changes ~ Menstrual Difficulties ~ Lowered immunity to illness ~ Muscular tension ~ Trembling
