Updated on 9/12/2022

When a public tragedy happens, its impact can be felt in a variety of ways. Often they might make us pause and wonder why we feel so sad about people who we don’t know. Many of us have confronted intense, complicated feelings regarding public tragedies in some form or another.

The Relatability of GriefDuring public incidents and deaths, we might be thinking about loved ones in our own lives. Grieving public figures can bring up a variety of deeply sad emotions as we imagine losing our loved ones in similar ways or think back upon those we have lost.Grief Counseling OnlineYou don’t have to wait for help processing your loss. Access grief counseling within daysStart here

The Relatability of Grief

During public incidents and deaths, we might be thinking about loved ones in our own lives. Grieving public figures can bring up a variety of deeply sad emotions as we imagine losing our loved ones in similar ways or think back upon those we have lost.

Grief Counseling OnlineYou don’t have to wait for help processing your loss. Access grief counseling within daysStart here

Grief Counseling OnlineYou don’t have to wait for help processing your loss. Access grief counseling within days

Grief Counseling Online

You don’t have to wait for help processing your loss. Access grief counseling within days

Start here

Grieving Public TragediesMany of us wonder why we feel sad when we aren’t personally acquainted with those who died.  There are multiple reasons to feel suchgrief.It’s human to empathize with the loved ones of the victims who lost parents, siblings, partners, and friends. The public has a unique experience of feeling as if wedoknow certain public figures  in a certain way, as he has been part of the fabric of our lives for many years.It’s okay to grieve someone you don’t know personallyDeaths can stir up feelings of sadness and grief for many people — it’s actually normal and to be expected. While it may seem confusing at first to feel grief about the death of someone you don’t know, it’s important to allow yourself to feel whatever feelings come up and to acknowledge the sadness and grief. It’s nothing to be ashamed about. These feelings are generally like waves; they come up, you ride them out, and then they pass.The death of a public figure, or someone else you don’t know, may be particularly triggering for someone who has recently grieved a personal loss. Grief appears in many ways, in many forms. It may even be easier to grieve someone you didn’t know than someone you were close to.

Grieving Public TragediesMany of us wonder why we feel sad when we aren’t personally acquainted with those who died.  There are multiple reasons to feel suchgrief.It’s human to empathize with the loved ones of the victims who lost parents, siblings, partners, and friends. The public has a unique experience of feeling as if wedoknow certain public figures  in a certain way, as he has been part of the fabric of our lives for many years.

Grieving Public Tragedies

Many of us wonder why we feel sad when we aren’t personally acquainted with those who died.  There are multiple reasons to feel suchgrief.

It’s human to empathize with the loved ones of the victims who lost parents, siblings, partners, and friends. The public has a unique experience of feeling as if wedoknow certain public figures  in a certain way, as he has been part of the fabric of our lives for many years.

It’s okay to grieve someone you don’t know personally

Deaths can stir up feelings of sadness and grief for many people — it’s actually normal and to be expected. While it may seem confusing at first to feel grief about the death of someone you don’t know, it’s important to allow yourself to feel whatever feelings come up and to acknowledge the sadness and grief. It’s nothing to be ashamed about. These feelings are generally like waves; they come up, you ride them out, and then they pass.

The death of a public figure, or someone else you don’t know, may be particularly triggering for someone who has recently grieved a personal loss. Grief appears in many ways, in many forms. It may even be easier to grieve someone you didn’t know than someone you were close to.

Grief Looks Different for EveryoneGrief is a very personal process, handled in a variety of ways. Some need time to themselves and turn inward while grieving. Others find comfort in surrounding themselves with friends and loved ones and talking about the person who has died. Additionally, many find support in spiritual practice, grief groups, or speaking with a therapist.There are also situations when grief becomes unmanageable. While not not advisable, some turn to coping mechanisms that can be harmful — such as alcohol and drugs — in order to numb themselves from the pain of missing their loved one.Signs to seek professional help, while dealing with griefGrieving is not a linear process and takes time, but there are options for professional help when thegrief process becomes more difficult or complicatedover time.While some symptoms of complicated grief are the same as more typical grief, if the symptoms last over a year, it is important to consider seeking out a licensed therapist or grief counselor. At the point when the symptoms become intractable and interfere with your ability to function in daily life, it’s time to seek out professional support.

Grief Looks Different for Everyone

Grief is a very personal process, handled in a variety of ways. Some need time to themselves and turn inward while grieving. Others find comfort in surrounding themselves with friends and loved ones and talking about the person who has died. Additionally, many find support in spiritual practice, grief groups, or speaking with a therapist.

There are also situations when grief becomes unmanageable. While not not advisable, some turn to coping mechanisms that can be harmful — such as alcohol and drugs — in order to numb themselves from the pain of missing their loved one.

Signs to seek professional help, while dealing with grief

Grieving is not a linear process and takes time, but there are options for professional help when thegrief process becomes more difficult or complicatedover time.

While some symptoms of complicated grief are the same as more typical grief, if the symptoms last over a year, it is important to consider seeking out a licensed therapist or grief counselor. At the point when the symptoms become intractable and interfere with your ability to function in daily life, it’s time to seek out professional support.

Signs and Symptoms of Complicated GriefWhile complicated grief may look different for everyone, typically the signs and symptoms of complicated grief may include:Intense sorrow, pain and rumination over the lossFocus on little else but the deathExtreme focus on reminders of the deceasedorexcessive avoidance of remindersIntense and persistent longing or pining for the deceasedProblems accepting the deathNumbness or detachmentBitterness about the lossFeeling that life holds no meaning or purposeLack of trust in othersInability to enjoy life or think back on positive experiences with your loved oneComplicated grief also may be indicated if you continue to:Have trouble carrying out normal routinesIsolate from others and withdraw from social activitiesExperience depression, deep sadness, guilt or self-blameBelieve that you did something wrong or could have prevented the deathFeel life isn’t worth living without the deceasedWish you had died along with the person you lostWhile grief is a normal part of everyone’s life at some point, and we will each experience a variety of expected feelings — sadness, anger, longing, to name just a few — it is important to remember there are excellent resources readily available if you need to speak with someone as you process these difficult feelings.Reaching out to speak with a mental health professional, in person orvia online therapy, can make a significant difference — you do not have to deal with grief alone.

Signs and Symptoms of Complicated Grief

While complicated grief may look different for everyone, typically the signs and symptoms of complicated grief may include:

Complicated grief also may be indicated if you continue to:

While grief is a normal part of everyone’s life at some point, and we will each experience a variety of expected feelings — sadness, anger, longing, to name just a few — it is important to remember there are excellent resources readily available if you need to speak with someone as you process these difficult feelings.

Reaching out to speak with a mental health professional, in person orvia online therapy, can make a significant difference — you do not have to deal with grief alone.

Our goal at Talkspace is to provide the most up-to-date, valuable, and objective information on mental health-related topics in order to help readers make informed decisions.

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