Widows Quest

Understanding the Shock

by anna on October 4th, 2006

Yesterday we talked about the cycle of grief and today we are going to talk about the first part - which is shock. The news causes ripples through your family. It is a totally normal first reaction.

I remember just feeling numb, indeed not feeling anything. I remember sat thinking “Anna, you should be feeling!” But the shock is because of your internal disbelief, it is your body’s way of coping…don’t fight it, let it happen. This shock can last a while and leave you feeling withdrawn, detached from the family and the world, lost in knowing what to do. That is when you need strong friends and family to help you with day to day organisation. This is not you failing as a person, it is your body and mind coping - and it is important to recognise that.

The best way I have found of getting through this is to try and talk to people who are just willing to listen, and the best remedy…a HUG! A hug allows you to feel the human touch, it gives you the love that you need. But the key thing is to recognize that this “shock” period is absolutely normal. It is OK to feel disorientated AND you will come through it.

A body and a mind is a wonderful structure of nature. It reacts to help you through by shutting down some of your more day to day feelings….this is your body looking after you when you need it most……

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POSTED IN: Grief