Symptoms of Grief

Physical

• Hyperactive or under active
• Feelings of unreality
• Physical distress such as chest pains, abdominal pains, headaches, nausea
• Change in appetite
• Weight change
• Fatigue
• Sleeping problems
• Restlessness
• Crying and sighing
• Feelings of emptiness
• Shortness of breath
• Tightness in the throat

Emotional

• Numbness
• Sadness
• Anger
• Fear
• Relief
• Irritability
• Guilt
• Loneliness
• Longing
• Anxiety
• Meaninglessness
• Apathy
• Vulnerability
• Abandonment

Social

• Overly sensitive
• Dependent
• Withdrawn
• Avoid others
• Lack of initiative
• Lack of interest 

Behavioral

• Forgetfulnes
• Searching for the deceased
• Slowed thinking
• Dreams of the deceased
• Sense the loved one’s presence
• Wandering aimlessly
• Trying not to talk about loss in order to help others feel comfortable around them
• Needing to retell the story of the loved one’s death 

Help through Grief

• Be patient with yourself. Do not compare yourself to others. Go through mourning at your own pace
• Admit you are hurting and go with the pain
• Apply cold or heat to your body, whichever feels best
• Ask for and accept help
• Talk to others
• Face the loss
• Stop asking “Why?” and ask “What will I do now?”
• Recognize that a bad day does not mean that all is lost
• Rest
• Exercise
• Keep to a routine
• Introduce pleasant changes into your life
• Know that you will survive
• Take care of something alive, such as a plant or a pet
• Schedule activities to help yourself get through weekends and holidays
• Find someone who needs your help
• Accept your feelings as part of the normal grief reaction
• Postpone major decisions whenever possible
• Do something you enjoy doing
• Write in a journal
• Be around people
• Schedule time alone
• Do not overdo
• Eat regularly