Although everyone's personal reaction to a bereavement is different, most people experience some of the following emotional responses when someone close to them dies:
Disbelief
Shock
Anger
Sadness
Relief
Guilt
Depression
Anxiety
Despair
Longing
Loneliness
These emotions normally occur, however, some or more of these responses may be experienced for differing lengths of time, depending on the individual. The main initial responses to a death - even one that has long been expected - are disbelief, shock and anger. These may lessen in time and can be followed by a sense of guilt, depression, anxiety and despair. You may also feel an acute sense of longing for the dead person, hopelessness at the thought of their absence, loneliness and sadness at their loss or even a sense of relief that they are gone (which may, in turn, lead to feelings of guilt).
Some physical symptoms experienced after bereavement can be quite acute and distressing. It is important to realise that these are normal parts of the grieving process and will pass in time. Physical reactions may include:
loss of energy and interest in life
an inability to sleep or constant tiredness
poor concentration and forgetfulness
loss of appetite or compulsive comfort eating
a "frozen" inability to cry or a tendency to continuously burst into tears
nausea and/or diarrhoea
