Grief is a normal emotion or reaction to loss and each of us experiences grief differently. Your grieving process will differ depending on your relationship with the person who has died and the circumstances around their death. Among other things, you may experience feelings of guilt, hopelessness or depression.
You may have constant thoughts about your loved one or you may “relive” the moment of their death in your mind over and over again. There is no right or wrong way to grieve and what you experience is perfectly normal as you adjust to life without your loved one. It is important to remember that if you are finding the grieving process particularly difficult or you have little support from friends or family there are many services available to assist you.
Your GP will be able to recommend or refer you to professional grief counselors who can assist you to manage and better understand your grief. The authors of these pages are also happy for you to contact them through the Australian CJD Support Group Network should you wish to.