#WellbeingWednesday
Anticipatory grief is a complex emotional process that occurs when individuals are confronted with the impending loss of a loved one, typically due to an extended illness or chronic condition. It’s a natural response to the awareness that someone close to you is terminally ill, and it can significantly affect the mental health of those experiencing it. This form of grief typically involves a range of emotions, including sadness, anxiety, guilt, and fear, as individuals grapple with the impending loss and its potential impact on their lives.
Coping mechanisms for anticipatory grief can vary widely, with some seeking support through therapy or support groups to process their feelings, while others may find solace in spending quality time with their loved one, creating meaningful memories, or engaging in acts of kindness to honor their relationship. By recognizing that anticipatory grief is a valid and natural response to impending loss, individuals can navigate this challenging emotional terrain with greater understanding and compassion for themselves and their loved ones. This week, we’re spotlighting anticipatory grief: what it is and resources that may help someone cope.
What is Anticipatory Grief
by Lynne Eldridge
Anticipatory grief is a state of deep, painful sorrow that occurs before an impending loss. It can affect people facing the impending death of a loved one or their own death.
This article explains what anticipatory grief is, what it can look and feel like, and how to cope as you come to terms with the loss of someone or something important in your life.
Dealing with Anticipatory Grief – 5 Strategies to Counteract It
by Sofia Amirpoor
In this video, Sofia Amirpoor tells you the steps necessary to work toward the positive emotions associated with the impending death of a loved one, something she calls “Anticipatory Contentment.”
How to Deal with Intense Emotions: A Therapist’s Approach to Grief and Sadness
by Emma Hanks McAdam
Most people don’t know how to deal with intense emotions like grief, sadness, etc. I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I have found some strategies that work for me when I’m feeling strong feelings. Watch the video to learn more.
What Anticipatory Grief Feels Like
The Podcast by KevinMD
Nancie Wiseman Attwater is the author of A Caregiver’s Love Story. In this episode, she shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, “What anticipatory grief feels like.”
Listen to the 14-Minute Podcast
ASSESSMENT
Is Caring for Others Taking a Toll on You?
Taking care of people takes a toll on your quality of life. Continuous exposure to the trauma, unhappiness, disease, and suffering of others can lead to a variety of mental and physical health conditions such as stress, anxiety, and sleep issues.
If you take care of people as part of your job, in your family, or in another aspect of your life, take our assessment to get a better picture of your overall quality of life as a caregiver as well as how it relates to compassion satisfaction, compassion fatigue, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress.
