Grief & Loss

Grief & Loss

Grief is a natural response to loss and is not limited to bereavement. It can arise after the end of a relationship, role, identity, health status, or anticipated future. While often described as sadness, grief may also include numbness, anger, disorientation, or periods of unexpected calm. These shifts reflect the mind and body adjusting to change rather than a failure to cope. Grief does not follow a fixed timeline and can move in waves, sometimes easing and sometimes returning with intensity.
More than 1.6 million Australians are bereaved each year and many more experience grief through relationship loss, illness, and other life changes.
– Griefline’s National Grief Awareness Campaign, 2025
Around 1 in 8 people who experience grief will go on to need extra support to process their loss.
– 2017 meta-analysis of prolonged grief disorder
CBT and similar therapies have been shown to meaningfully reduce grief symptoms.
– 2025 clinical review of grief interventions

How it can show up

Waves of sadness

You may experience periods of deep sadness, longing, emptiness, or emotional pain.

Feeling a sense of absence

You may notice a sense of missing what once was, or feeling like something important is gone.

Emotional numbness

You may feel detached, emotionally numb, or experience moments of shock.

Irritability or guilt

You may notice heightened irritability, guilt, anger, or regret in response to your emotions.

Changes in energy or appetite

You may feel fatigued, have disrupted sleep, or notice changes in your appetite.

Difficulty concentrating

You may find it hard to focus or feel mentally preoccupied with thoughts of the loss.

Social withdrawal

You may pull back from social contact or feel less able to tolerate interactions.

Sensitivity to reminders

You may feel heightened emotion around anniversaries, reminders, or situations connected to the loss.

Common maintaining patterns

Some forms of grief are less visible and may not be openly recognised by others. Loss of health, identity, opportunity, or expected future plans can feel just as significant as the loss of a person. When grief is not acknowledged socially, people may minimise their own experience or feel pressure to “move on” quickly.

Recognising these less visible losses can support adjustment and reduce self-judgement.

Gentle Reflection

What has changed or ended for me?
What feels most different in my life now?
How has this loss affected the way I see myself or my future?
What helps me live with this grief without needing to fix or resolve it?

When support may be helpful

Support may be helpful if grief is affecting sleep, concentration, relationships, or capacity to engage in daily life. Additional support is important if feelings of guilt, hopelessness, or withdrawal are intensifying over time.

Seeking support does not require certainty about how long grief “should” last. For many people, structured support provides space to process loss while gradually rebuilding stability and meaning.

Understanding vs diagnosis

The information on this page is offered to support understanding and recognition, not to provide a diagnosis. Grief exists on a spectrum and may overlap with low mood, anxiety, stress and overload, trauma-related responses, or adjustment difficulties.

A qualified mental health professional can help clarify how grief is affecting a person and explore appropriate support based on individual circumstances, history and needs.

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Grief & Loss
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