How to Cope With Grief

Video Transcript

"Hello. Have you ever considered on how to cope with grief? Well, I'm Doctor Felicia and I'd like to share a few tips with you. Coping with grief is a very personal process for each person. Everyone handles grief differently and, of course, it depends on the relationship of the person who passed away. Many people are internal thinkers and so, they need to be quiet, withdraw and process the death of their loved one personally. Whereas their partner may be an external person who wants to talk about it over, and over, and over. What happens within a family when two people are grieving in a very different method it causes a lot of dissension. For instance, the person who externalizes may think the person who internalizes is being neglectful, not caring, wrapped up in themselves, etc. because they need to vent. So the important thing there is for the person who externalizes their feelings is to get another group of setting and other persons in the family who they can discuss their feelings with. The person who internalizes feelings is just as hurt, probably just as tearful, but they need to do it in private. They may take long walks on the beach, they may just sit off in their room and pout, but allow them that gratitude, whether it's the child or parent who's grieving that way. Allow them that room to grieve their own way. Grieving periods should last, it goes through many phases. It goes through anger, denial, depression, and then finally acceptance. And grieving period itself should last about two years where people actually go to move on to different areas. You'll never forget your loved one, but the grieving and the raw pain is usually diminished over a two year period. You should be able to move on with the rest of your life. I do wish you luck with this very painful process and remember, how to grieve is a personal preference. Again, good luck, Doctor Felicia signing off."