“These are signs of grief and loss,” says George Wilson, MD, Director of Outpatient Women’s Programs at Penn Medicine Princeton House Behavioral Health. “Initially you may not recognize it, since you have not experienced the traditional loss of a loved one, which is what we think of when we think of grief. But the fact is, you have suffered a loss in this pandemic, and you may be grieving that loss.” Grief can result from the loss of anything you are deeply attached to, from the death of a loved one to the loss of a job, the need to socially distance from others and even the loss of a general sense of security about the present and the future.
Working Through the Loss
“The first step is to recognize that you are grieving and identify where those feelings are coming from,” says Dr. Wilson. “In general, with the situation we are presently dealing with, that means understanding that we are not in complete control of everything in our lives, and coming to accept that fact. We can only do the best that we can do in a given situation, and it is important to realize that we are all in this together, and that this is uncharted territory.
”Reach out to others to maintain a connection with the outside world, and do not be afraid to share your feelings with those close to you. “They very well may be feeling the same way, and you can help each other through by being supportive and possibly finding solutions together to some of the situations that may be triggering your sense of loss,” says Dr. Wilson.
Self-care is also important, including eating a healthy diet, exercising, centering yourself through yoga or meditation, fitting in a change of scenery or at least some sunlight and fresh air on a regular basis, and making time to do things you enjoy.
“In general, you need to have compassion for yourself,” says Dr. Wilson, “and reach out for support. If your feelings of grief continue, and you are unable to function on a daily basis, seeking guidance from a professional is important.”
Signs of COVID-Related Grief
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For more information on Princeton House Behavioral Health’s inpatient and outpatient programs, visit www.princetonhouse.org, or call 888.437.1610.
Article as seen in the July/August 2020 issue of Princeton Health.
