IBS AND NEGATIVE EMOTIONS: PROLONGED GRIEF
Grief is a process to be worked through. It has a beginning, a middle and an end. That is not to say that you will ever forget the person you have lost or stop loving them, but if you hang on to grief for years and use it as an excuse to give up on life or to become
overdependent on others then it becomes unhealthy. It might indicate that in focusing on loss and sadness you are denying that you are also fearful, angry or feeling guilt. Ask yourself if the person who has gone would be unhappy to see you with constant digestive upsets and only half-living. The national organization Cruise (directory enquiries or the Yellow Pages will give you the number for your area) specializes in bereavement counselling.
Grief often turns into clinical depression. See your doctor. In the short term, antidepressant medication can be of great help to get you back to a more normal life.
*93\326\8*
