Grief and Anxiety: All About Anxiety After Bereavement
Grief and anxiety go hand-in-hand.
If you're feeling anxious after bereavement, you're not alone. Anxiety is a very normal reaction to the loss of a loved one.
You may be feeling overwhelmed and confused, but we hope to answer some of your questions about anxiety after bereavement.
In this post, we'll cover a few things:
Symptoms of grief and anxiety
Complicated grief vs. an anxiety disorder
Ways to deal with anxiety after the loss of a loved one
If you're in Los Angeles and would like to consult with a psychotherapist about your anxiety and grief, contact us today to set up a complimentary phone consultation.
What are the symptoms of grief and anxiety?
If you're here, you may be wondering if you are clinically anxious due to your grief. We'll discuss signs of both anxiety and grief.
Symptoms of anxiety
Anxiety expresses itself in many ways. People struggling with anxiety typically report the following symptoms:
Excessive worry. Do you lie awake at night ruminating about every interaction of your day? Do you always worry about the future and fear what might happen?
Difficulty concentrating. Racing thoughts and difficulty focusing are common indicators of anxiety.
Tension in your body. Clenching your jaw, wringing your hands, and unconsciously lifting and squeezing your shoulders are common for people with anxiety. You may experience tension in other areas of your body, as well.
Trouble sleeping. People who are anxious often experience difficulty when quieting their minds at the end of the day.
Restlessness. Do your friends and family notice you tapping your feet and bouncing your legs? Fidgety behaviors like this are other physical expressions of anxiety.
Irritability. When you are consumed by anxiety, anything can put you over the edge. If you're anxious, well-meaning comments from loved ones or minor inconveniences can trigger irritable behavior.
Anxiety expresses itself in many different ways. We recommend consulting with an anxiety therapist to discuss your symptoms.
Symptoms of grief
Common effects of grief include:
Anxiety. Yes, anxiety often coexists with grief. Don't be surprised if you're feeling the symptoms of anxiety that we listed above.
Anger. Death, especially if untimely, feels deeply unfair. Your loss may make you angrier than you have been in the past.
Hopelessness or despair. Grief is tough to comprehend, and your overwhelm may leave you feeling hopeless.
Apathy. Nothing may feel important compared to your loved one's death. You may feel helpless, as well.
Loneliness. People grieving often isolate themselves and feel alone in their mourning. It may feel like no one understands what you're going through.
Low energy. You may be sleeping more or less than usual, and you may catch yourself sighing deeply or feeling generally fatigued.
These things paint a small picture of the effects of grief. There are many more physical, emotional, and spiritual effects of grief that are unique to every person.
It's best to discuss how you feel with a clinical therapist. A therapist helps you identify and manage your emotions to ease the healing process.
Do I have complicated grief, or do I have an anxiety disorder?
Grief is normal, but if your grief lasts an exceptionally long time and is completely debilitating, you may have complicated grief disorder.
Grief is considered to be "normal" if you can accept the loss and your new reality and move on with your life. There is no exact timeline for when grief becomes clinical, but if you are significantly struggling years after the loss, it may be time to speak with a therapist who specializes in grief.
Like we've discussed, grief comingles with anxiety. If you struggle with a complicated grief disorder, you are likely experiencing anxiety as well.
On the other hand, if your grief is subsiding, but your symptoms of anxiety are not, you may have an anxiety disorder.
Keep in mind that you may not have either. It's crucial to consult with a therapist before jumping to conclusions about your mental health.
How do I deal with my anxiety after the loss of a loved one?
Anxiety is hard to live with, but there are ways you can manage it. At Highland Park Holistic Psychotherapy, we offer an integrative approach to therapy that touches on all aspects of a person: psychological, spiritual, and physical.
The following things are effective ways to cope with anxiety:
See a therapist. Therapy is one of the best ways to manage and understand your anxiety and grief.
Exercise. Take a walk at lunch, attend a yoga class, jog on the treadmill... as long as you're moving your body, you're releasing tension and getting a rush of feel-good hormones.
Talk to someone. Processing your thoughts with a loved one can help clear your mind and relieve stress.
Meditate. Carve time out in your day to sit and breathe. Deep breathing and meditation are strongly linked to decreasing anxiety.
Sleep. It can be tough, but try to get enough sleep. Reducing your caffeine intake or meditating before bed will help you fall asleep.
Eat well. Healthy and nutritious meals help balance hormones and steady your energy levels, which improve your mood.
Journal. Release and organize your thoughts on paper. After you write them down, your problems may not seem as unmanageable.
All of these things help relieve anxiety and improve your happiness and wellbeing. Although these things can't eliminate grief, they may help ease it so you can cope with day-to-day life a little more easily.
Consult with a therapist about your grief and anxiety
We hope that this provided some clarity on grief after bereavement, anxiety disorders, and complicated grief disorders.
If you're in the Los Angeles area and would like to consult with a therapist who specializes in grief and anxiety, contact us today. We would be honored to help you navigate this difficult time in your life.