Understanding the Intersection of Grief & Anxiety… It’s More Common Than You May Think
With winter seeing the highest rate of death in the northern hemisphere, love’s most popular season can also be one of disconnection and grief for many. Whether it’s an unwanted goodbye, the dull ache of loneliness, or the death of a loved one, managing loss can be hard, especially during these gloomier days of winter. Valentine's day, with its celebration of love and connection, can also increase feelings of bereavement, and further complicate the healing journey. This is true whether it’s your own loss or you’re witnessing someone you love on this path. Along with intense grief come feelings of anxiety and further concern. What’s wrong with me? you might wonder, or, Why can’t I get it together? Will I ever be myself again? Worse, your friends and family might be asking you the very same thing, making it all the harder to feel like you are actually ok. These worries, and many others, lay the groundwork for the anxiety that so often accompanies bereavement. Although it is not always included in popular advice related to grieving, anxiety is a very natural part of the grieving process. Managing your grief-related anxiety is central to healing and taking control of the future ahead of you. Coping with anxiety isn’t always easy, especially when you are distracted by the weight of your loss and the changes it demands of your life. Walking grief’s path is more manageable when anxiety is understood, rather than pushed aside or feared. To help you make sense of anxiety and its relationship to your loss, I’m sharing a few articles that include key insights and science-backed tools to assist you.
Whatever bereavement journey you or your loved one is on, my hope is that these tools will help you feel more control as you move through the healing process. If I can help you, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Warmly, Alicia |
Alicia Clark PsyD
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