Completing the grief process allows you to shift priorities and focus on different aspects of yourself. And with that shift, loss can bring gain - a new way to see yourself and your place in the world. Second, when people resist grief by trying to squelch their feelings, it may come out in other ways, such as physical illness - ulcers, depression or an overtaxed immune system, Coker says. Third, grieving helps you to learn better coping skills, appreciate life and achieve growth. There's no formula that works for everyone.
Many people make healthy adjustments without realizing there's grief involved.
For others, the emotions are powerful and sometimes surprising. In neuromuscular diseases, people know they'll lose some abilities. But knowing ahead of time doesn't protect you from feelings of grief when the loss occurs. Rather than anticipate their loss, some people indulge in denial - believing that their case will be different, that it won't progress as rapidly as with others, ignoring signs that their abilities are changing. But maybe you're a little bit more prepared for them and maybe, by that time, you're connected with some people who are like you.