Family Physician Dr. Amy Givler talks about the grieving process and coping with it on days that are a reminder of the loss.
On working with people who have experienced a loss
We think of grief as a death, but grief is a response to loss, and a process by which we adjust to something that we've lost. Examples include not just losing a parent, but also losing a pet or losing a friend.
Grief is an emotional process and we have to work through our emotions to move forward.
On what people experience when they're grieving
This is not something that you're going to get over quickly. Give yourself some grace. Be aware that milestones like birthdays or anniversaries can be espeically hard. Being prepared for those days can help make it through them.
Some things are just sad, and pretending that they're not does not move us forward. Over time, we adjust to the reality of the loss, and integrate this new reality into our lives.
