Grief is like an unpredictable rollercoaster full of ups and downs. One minute you’re numb, the next you’re drowning in tears. Months can fly by, yet you feel stuck in a loop of sadness and despair. Managing daily tasks feels impossible, or new problems keep piling on. 

If you’re struggling to navigate this emotional rollercoaster, here is a list of signs you need grief therapy. Grief therapy is a safe space to open up and healthily process your pain. But how do you know when it’s the right move? Here are 5 signs it’s time for grief therapy: 

1. You’re Frozen in Place: The bills are piling up, you haven’t showered in days, and even getting dressed feels like a monumental effort. Grief can leave you feeling paralyzed, and unable to handle basic responsibilities. Grief counselling can be a great space for you to learn ways to manage your daily routine in a way that doesn’t overwhelm you. 

2. The Sadness Won’t Let Go: It’s okay to feel sad, but when overwhelming sadness grips you day in and day out, it might be a sign of complicated grief. Your therapist trained in grief therapy can help you work through your sadness and understand where it is coming from.

3. Anger is Taking Over: Maybe you feel extremely angry at the world, at the person you lost, or even at yourself. Unprocessed anger is common and quite normal while you’re grieving, but it can be destructive. Grief therapy can also be a great outlet for you to understand anger and find healthy ways to express it.

4. You’re Withdrawn from Everyone: Missing your loved one, and grieving their loss deeply can make you isolate yourself from the people around you. However, seeking support from your community is important during these difficult times. It is also common to feel like people around you don’t understand your pain enough, and thus, your therapist can provide a safe space to talk about your feelings and help you reconnect with supportive people. 

5. You’re Trying to Make Sense of Life and Death: Why did this happen? What’s the point of anything now? It’s normal to grapple with these big questions after a loss. Grief can make you feel like you’re staring into an endless abyss. A therapist who specializes in grief can help you explore these existential questions without feeling judged. They can guide you towards finding meaning in your loss and a renewed sense of purpose in life.

You don’t have to navigate this emotional rollercoaster alone. Grief counselling can be a beacon of light in the darkness, offering a safe space to process your pain, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and find your way back to a fulfilling life. Remember, healing takes time, but with support, you can start to experience joy and laughter again. Take the first step towards healing today- reach out to a grief therapist and begin your journey back to hope.