Living With Grief

Grief is a deeply personal response to loss. It can follow the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, a change in health, or any event that alters life as you knew it. While grief is a universal experience, the way it shows up can be very different from person to person—and often different from what we expect.

Grief isn’t just sadness. Many people experience waves of emotions including anger, guilt, anxiety, numbness or even relief. Concentration can become difficult, sleep may be disrupted, and motivation can fade. You might feel disconnected from others or unsure how to move forward, even when life around you continues as normal.

Grief can also affect the body. Fatigue, headaches, appetite changes and general aches are common. These responses are not a sign of weakness or failure to cope—they are part of how the mind and body process loss.

When grief feels overwhelming

There is no timeline for grief, but sometimes the weight of it doesn’t ease with time. If emotions feel increasingly intense, daily functioning becomes difficult, or grief begins to overlap with depression, anxiety or trauma symptoms, additional support can be helpful.

Reaching out for professional help doesn’t mean you’re doing grief “wrong”. It means you’re acknowledging that your experience matters and that you don’t have to carry it alone.

Support options at South Coast Private Hospital

South Coast Private Hospital offers a range of mental health services that can support people experiencing grief, depending on their needs and circumstances:

• Psychology Clinic
  Individual therapy provides a confidential space to talk through loss, understand emotional and physical responses to grief, and develop coping strategies that support everyday functioning.
• Day Programs
  Structured day programs can help people who need more consistent support while still maintaining their home routine. These programs focus on emotional regulation, connection, and rebuilding confidence and resilience after loss.
• Inpatient Care
  For those experiencing severe or complex grief alongside significant mental health challenges, inpatient care offers a higher level of support in a safe, therapeutic environment.

Care at South Coast is guided by experienced mental health professionals who understand that grief is not something to “fix”, but something to be supported with compassion, patience and clinical expertise.