The impact of the loss of a loved one or friend can be devastating. Individuals who experience the loss of a relationship through either a sudden death or a death following a longer illness may experience many different symptoms. Emotionally, common reactions to death include sadness, anger, guilt, loneliness, and shock. An individual may also notice physical symptoms including fatigue, weakness, and hypersensitivity. It is also not uncommon for an individual's sleeping and eating pattern to change during a period of grieving.
Individuals sometimes withdraw from others socially and find little joy in daily activities.
Many individuals recover from these symptoms in a short period of time. However, others many continue to exhibit some of these characteristics across a longer period of time. Therapy can help individuals with either short or long term symptom patterns. Academically, difficulties with grief and loss can be seen through a drop in grades during a semester or from one semester to the next. Individuals sometimes have difficulty concentrating due to an inability to focus on class work.