How to Deal With Grief 

How does grief differ 

from depression? 

Depression is more than a feeling 

of grief after losing someone 

or something you love. Clinical 

depression is a whole body 

disorder. It can take over the way 

you think and feel. Symptoms of 

depression include: 

• A sad, anxious, or “empty” 

mood that won’t go away 

• Loss of interest in what you 

used to enjoy 

• Low energy, fatigue, feeling 

“slowed down” 

• Changes in sleep patterns 

• Loss of appetite, weight loss, or 

weight gain 

• Trouble concentrating, 

remembering, or making 

decisions 

• Feeling hopeless or gloomy 

• Feeling guilty, worthless, or 

helpless 

• Thoughts of death or suicide or 

a suicide attempt 

• Recurring aches and pains that 

don’t respond to treatment. 

What is grief? 

Grief is the normal response of sorrow, emotion, and confusion that comes 

from losing someone or something important to you. It is a natural part of 

life. Grief is a typical reaction to death, divorce, job loss, a move away from 

family and friends, or loss of good health due to illness. 

How does grief feel? 

Just after a death or loss, you may feel empty and numb, as if you are in 

shock. You may notice physical changes such as trembling, nausea, trouble 

breathing, muscle weakness, dry mouth, or trouble sleeping and eating. 

You may become angry—at a situation, a particular person, or just angry 

in general. Almost everyone in grief also experiences guilt. Guilt is often 

expressed as “I could have, I should have, and I wish I would have” 

statements. 

People in grief may have strange dreams or nightmares, be absent-minded, 

withdraw socially, or lack the desire to return to work. While these feelings 

and behaviors are normal during grief, they will pass. 

How long does grief last? 

Grief lasts as long as it takes you to accept and learn to live with your loss. For 

some people, grief lasts a few months. For others, grieving may take years. 

The length of time spent grieving is different for each person. There are many 

reasons for the differences, including personality, health, coping style, culture, 

family background, and life experiences. The time spent grieving also depends 

on your relationship with the person lost and how prepared you were for the 

loss. 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 

Center for Mental Health Services 

www.samhsa.gov 
Where can I find help? 

The following list of organizations and Web sites 

provides information and support for coping 

with grief: 

The Compassionate Friends (national office) 

P.O. Box 3696 

Oak Brook, IL 60522-3696 

630-990-0010; Toll Free 877-969-0010 

http://www.compassionatefriends.org 

A national, self-help support organization for those 

grieving the loss of a child or sibling. 

Fernside 

Bethesda Professional Building 

4360 Cooper Road, Suite 101 

Cincinnati, OH 45242 

513-745-0111 (M - F 9:30 am - 4:30 pm EST) 

http://www.fernside.org 

Grief information, resources, and support for grieving 

children and their families. 

RENEW: Center for Personal Recovery 

P.O. Box 125 

Berea, KY 40403 

859-986-7878 

http://www.renew.net 

A grief counseling center for individuals and families that 

are experiencing loss, with a specialty in grief recovery 

counseling for traumatic deaths. 

Online Resources 

GriefNet 

http://www.griefnet.org/
 

A Web site that provides information and resources 


related to death, dying, bereavement, and major 


emotional and physical losses.
 

Growth House, Inc. 

http://www.growthhouse.org 

A source of quality information and resources on death 

and dying issues. 

Transformations 

http://www.transformations.com
 

A web site about self-help, support, and recovery issues.
 

KEN-01-0104

How will I know when I’m done 

grieving? 

Every person who experiences a death or other loss 

must complete a four-step grieving process: 

1)	 Accept the loss. 

2)	 Work through and feel the physical and emotional 

pain of grief. 

3)	 Adjust to living in a world without the person or 

item lost. 

4)	 Move on with life. 

The grieving process is over only when a person 

completes the four steps. 

What if these feelings won’t 

go away? 

If you recently experienced a death or other loss, 

feelings of grief are part of a normal reaction. But if 

these feelings persist with no lifting mood, ask for help. 

Contact: 

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) 

730 N. Franklin Street, Suite 501 

Chicago, IL 60610-7224 

800-826-3632 

http://www.dbsalliance.org 

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) 

Colonial Place Three 

2107 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300 

Arlington, VA 22201-3042 

Local: 703-524-7600 

Toll-free helpline: 800-950-NAMI (950-6264) 

http://www.nami.org 

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) 

Public Information and Communications Branch 

6001 Executive Boulevard, Suite 8184, MSC 9663 

Bethesda, MD 20892-9663 

Local: 301-443-4513 

Toll-free: 866-615-6464 

http://www.nimh.nih.gov 

National Mental Health Association (NMHA) 

2001 N. Beauregard Street, 12th Floor 

Alexandria, VA 22311 

Local: 703-684-7722 

Toll-free: 800-969-NMHA (969-6642) 

http://www.nmha.org