Grief

Losing someone you love or something that’s important to you can lead to emotional distress. If you struggle with crippling grief symptoms, help is within reach at HC Mental Health & Wellness in Florida and DC. Board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner Hawley Campbell, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC, offers counseling, medication management, and more to help you overcome challenging times. Schedule a telehealth appointment by calling the office or using the online booking tab today.

What is grief?

Grief can occur after a loss, such as the death of a loved one, divorce, or job loss. It’s the experience of dealing with a loss and the mix of emotions that accompanies it. Hawley can help you acknowledge and overcome grief in a healthy manner, offering support and guidance to get you through difficult life situations.

Which experiences might cause grief?

The following may contribute to grief:

• Loss of a loved one or pet
• Divorce
• Loss of a home
• Loss of good health
• Job loss
• Loss of financial stability
• Loss of your youth
• Infertility
• Loss of a goal or dream

Grief can also occur when preparing for death, especially in individuals who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness. 

What are the symptoms of grief?

Examples of grief symptoms include:

• Sadness
• Guilt
• Shame
• Anger 
• Regret
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Aches and pains
• Fatigue
• Nasea
• Upset stomach
• Headaches
• Restlessness
• Reduced appetite
• Sleep changes
• Confusion
• Difficulty concentrating
• Loss of hope

Grief might last six months to two years, though its symptoms typically improve gradually over time. 

How can I overcome grief?

Overcoming grief can take time, but Hawley can help you get through any difficult situation in a healthy way using the following and more:

Self-care

Taking good care of your body and mind is critical during periods of grief. Prioritize eating healthy foods, staying active, minimizing stress, and getting 7-9 hours of sleep. Maintain social connections for additional support and avoid drugs and alcohol. 

Medication management

HC Mental Health & Wellness offers medication management to help you manage grief, emotions, and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and similar mental health concerns. She uses GeneSight® testing to learn how your genes likely affect the effectiveness of different medications.

Therapy 

Hawley uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other therapies to help you cope with grief and lessen symptoms. She teaches strategies to acknowledge your grief, deal with distressing emotions, and overcome loss to move on over time and thrive. She follows up to ensure your treatment is effective and is always available for additional support and guidance.

Schedule a virtual grief evaluation with Hawley at HC Mental Health & Wellness by calling the office or requesting an appointment online today.