How long does grief last?
This is one of the most often asked questions. It is also one of the most difficult to answer. Everyone experiences grief differently, therefore, each individuals grief period is different. In most cases, the pain associated with grief begins to lessen in the second and third year following death. This does not mean it goes away completely, you will just have more good days than bad days. Some people have said, The pain has never gone away, I have only learned to accept it. Acceptance is the final stage of grief.
This is probably the most common question asked by the bereaved. Because every griever is a unique personality, there is no single answer to this question. In most cases, the pain associated with grieving begins to subside considerably in the second and third years following loss. This means that there are more good days than bad ones; that the heavy, depressive feelings in earlier months begin to break up with more hopeful, optimistic feelings replacing them. Many bereavement authorities believe that most grief adjustments take between two and four years to be completed. Of course, some adjustments are shorter and some are longer, depending upon personality factors and the nature of the relationship with the deceased. What are the signs of grief? On the emotional level, the bereaved experience some of the following: disbelief, shock, numbness, denial, sadness, anxiety, guilt, depression, anger, loneliness or frustration. The physical symptoms of grief can include tightness of the ches
