The Gate House Lodge, Beltichburne, Termonfeckin Road, Drogheda, County Louth. Telephone: 087-0555858 Email:asantetherapy@gmail.com

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"Asante an attitude of gratitude"

 Asanté Counselling & Therapy Centre
   Confidential and Professional Counselling and Psychotherapy Services in Drogheda, County Louth.
Bereavement & Loss
Grief is a natural reaction to loss and in some cases, this loss may be felt for years or sometimes for a lifetime. It is as much a part of your emotions as joy and sadness and is not an illness.

The loss of someone close can be one of the most difficult experiences that people ever have to experience in their lives. Often the death of a loved one seems to make no sense especially if it is sudden or premature such as the death of a young person. Although everyone's personal reaction to bereavement is different, most people experience some of the following emotional responses when someone close to them dies:
   Disbelief         Shock         Anger        Sadness       Relief        Guilt        Depression       Anxiety       Despair       Longing

Athough distressing, these emotions are normal however and they may be experienced for differing lengths of time, depending on the individual. The main initial responses to a death, even one that has long been expected are disbelief, shock and anger. These may lessen in time and can be followed by a sense of guilt, depression, anxiety and despair. An acute sense of longing for the dead person may also be experienced, hopelessness at the thought of their absence, loneliness and sadness at their loss or even a sense of relief that they are gone (which may, in turn, lead to feelings of guilt). Some physical symptoms experienced after bereavement can be quite acute and distressing. It is important to realise that these are normal parts of the grieving process and will pass in time.

Physical reactions may include:
 Loss of energy and interest in life

 An inability to sleep or constant tiredness

 Poor concentration and forgetfulness

 Loss of appetite or compulsive comfort eating
 A "frozen" inability to cry or a tendency to continuously burst into tears

 It is also important to be aware that grief can also occur not only following a death but as a result of major life changes such as:
   Separation or divorce
   Changing or losing your job
   Moving or migrating
   Children leaving home

 Counselling and Support
If you are struggling to overcome your grief, a bereavement counsellor can provide a safe place to talk about feelings such as anger and resentment. It is not usually the role of a bereavement counsellor to take away the pain of loss, rather counselling and support can help the person work through their feelings and perhaps learn to adjust to the loss of a loved one over time. For some people crying can be a great release, exercise, such as walking, deep breathing or writing in a journal are other safe ways to release angry feelings such as blame or resentment. Your personal bereavement counsellor will be their to support you with compassion as you work through this most difficult time in your life.

Call David now on 087-0555858 for a free confidential chat or click here ... to take a look at our links page which will provide you with information on bereavement support websites.