The Impact Of Unresolved Grief On Mental Health And Relationships

Grief can be a debilitating experience. It can cause a cascade of emotional turmoil and mental anguish, creating long-term impacts on an individual’s mental health and relationships. With a powerful and unexpected intensity, it can weigh heavy on their ability to move on with their life. 

Fortunately, resolving unresolved grief and working toward living a meaningful life once more is possible with the support and guidance of a board-certified psychotherapist. In this post, we will discuss the impact of unresolved grief on mental health and relationships and learn more about how an experienced psychotherapist can provide valuable help.

Grief is a process, not an event

Grief is a complex emotion that can significantly impact an individual’s mental and physical health. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not something that a person can get over quickly. It is, in fact, a process that takes time and requires patience to work through it. 

It’s important to understand that grief isn’t a linear process; there may be times when you feel like you’re making progress and other times when it seems like you’re back at square one. Unfortunately, many people don’t give themselves the time and space to grieve, resulting in unresolved grief.

Unresolved grief can lead to depression, anxiety, and substance abuse

It can be difficult to process your feelings when you experience a loss, whether it is the death of a loved one, a job, or a relationship. When you give yourself little time to get over your grief, your feelings remain unresolved, leading to depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.

It’s a common assumption that experiencing depression or anxiety or relying on substances, like alcohol, means that the person is weak or has failed in some way. But that’s not often the case! It can simply mean that the person needs help and support in dealing with unresolved grief. 

The best way to overcome it is to seek professional therapy from a board-certified psychotherapist in Ontario or Quebec if you are struggling with grief. They will be able to guide you through the healing process and provide you with the tools you need to cope with your feelings of grief.

Grief can damage relationships

Although grief is a normal part of life, it can affect the quality of our relationships. Individuals often begin to withdraw from social activities or distance themselves from friends and family, which may lead to feelings of isolation, resentment, or even anger.

Seeking help to process unresolved grief is crucial if you no longer interact with your family or friends or attend get-togethers, parties, and events, as it may impact your relationships. A board-certified counselling professional in Quebec or Ontario can guide you in dealing with the pain and sorrow that comes with unresolved grief. They can help you recognise patterns affecting your connections and work with you to develop coping strategies to repair those relationships.

How does a board-certified psychotherapist in Ontario or Quebec help?

A board-certified psychotherapist can help someone overcome grief by guiding them through a therapeutic process. The therapist will create a safe, trusting environment to share their experiences, process the emotion, identify unhelpful thinking patterns, and find new perspectives that lead to acceptance and peace. 

The therapist can also help the individual to create healthy strategies for coping with the lingering effects of grief, such as regular self-care practices, meaningful social support, and communication skills. Ultimately, a board-certified counselling professional can offer invaluable expertise and compassion to assist in healing the heartache of grief.

Author’s Bio – The author is an online blogger. This article is about the impact of unresolved grief on mental health and relationships