Stage Four DEPRESSION
5 Stages of Grief: Stage Four DEPRESSION The next of the stages of grief and pet loss is the "Depression" stage.
Much like Anger, Depression is often viewed by our society as something that is unnatural and must be treated. Showing your sadness is often seen as a weakness and something you should be encouraged to "snap out of".
Depression after any loss is often viewed as unnatural, usually by people who have no understanding of loss themselves and believe that you should "get over it" in a timescale they deem to be appropriate.
But the loss of a pet IS depressing, and depression is a natural and appropriate response to this event. If the situation you are in is distressing and depressing, why wouldn't you feel depressed? You have lost a loved animal and friend, and the realization of this is understandably deeply saddening.
It is important to recognize that the depression you will feel in grief and pet loss is not a sign of mental illness, it is simply an appropriate response to your loss and one of the stages of grief and pet loss.
Depression and sadness are a natural part of grief and pet loss recovery and a necessary step along the way.
You may find people around you are unable to cope with your sadness or depression. They may only be able to be around you by attempting to "snap you out of it" or make light of the situation in an attempt to lift your spirits. Unfortunately this is usually an expression of that person's own needs and their inability to tolerate your sadness rather than a response to your needs.
The best thing anyone can do for you when you are in the Depression stages of grief is to accept your sadness as natural and not attempt to talk you out of it or somehow make it better. Having someone there who will sit and listen to your thoughts without trying to "fix things" or "cheer you up" can be a tremendous help.
You need to be allowed to experience your sorrow as a part of your grief and pet loss recovery and in doing so you will find it will leave you as soon as it has served its purpose. As hard as it can be to endure, Depression does have a purpose. It helps us to slow down and take stock and to rebuild ourselves once more.
As with all the stages of grief and pet loss, Depression and sadness won't necessarily follow a logical pattern. You may feel as though you have worked your way through this stage, and then at certain meaningful times where you are reminded of your pet, you may find yourself experiencing these feelings again, but usually for briefer and briefer periods.
Much like Anger, Depression is often viewed by our society as something that is unnatural and must be treated. Showing your sadness is often seen as a weakness and something you should be encouraged to "snap out of".
Depression after any loss is often viewed as unnatural, usually by people who have no understanding of loss themselves and believe that you should "get over it" in a timescale they deem to be appropriate.
But the loss of a pet IS depressing, and depression is a natural and appropriate response to this event. If the situation you are in is distressing and depressing, why wouldn't you feel depressed? You have lost a loved animal and friend, and the realization of this is understandably deeply saddening.
It is important to recognize that the depression you will feel in grief and pet loss is not a sign of mental illness, it is simply an appropriate response to your loss and one of the stages of grief and pet loss.
Depression and sadness are a natural part of grief and pet loss recovery and a necessary step along the way.
You may find people around you are unable to cope with your sadness or depression. They may only be able to be around you by attempting to "snap you out of it" or make light of the situation in an attempt to lift your spirits. Unfortunately this is usually an expression of that person's own needs and their inability to tolerate your sadness rather than a response to your needs.
The best thing anyone can do for you when you are in the Depression stages of grief is to accept your sadness as natural and not attempt to talk you out of it or somehow make it better. Having someone there who will sit and listen to your thoughts without trying to "fix things" or "cheer you up" can be a tremendous help.
You need to be allowed to experience your sorrow as a part of your grief and pet loss recovery and in doing so you will find it will leave you as soon as it has served its purpose. As hard as it can be to endure, Depression does have a purpose. It helps us to slow down and take stock and to rebuild ourselves once more.
As with all the stages of grief and pet loss, Depression and sadness won't necessarily follow a logical pattern. You may feel as though you have worked your way through this stage, and then at certain meaningful times where you are reminded of your pet, you may find yourself experiencing these feelings again, but usually for briefer and briefer periods.