Myths
and Facts about Grief
MYTH:
The pain will go away faster if you ignore it.
Fact: Trying to ignore your pain or keep it from
surfacing will only make it worse in the long run. For real healing it is
necessary to face your grief and actively deal with it.
MYTH:
It’s important to be “be strong” in the face of loss.
Fact: Feeling sad, frightened, or lonely is a normal
reaction to loss. Crying doesn’t mean you are weak. You don’t need to “protect”
your family or friends by putting on a brave front. Showing your true feelings
can help them and you.
MYTH:
If you don’t cry, it means you aren’t sorry about the loss.
Fact: Crying is a normal response to sadness, but it’s
not the only one. Those who don’t cry may feel the pain just as deeply as
others. They may simply have other ways of showing it.
MYTH:
Grief should last about a year.
Fact: There is no right or wrong time frame for
grieving. How long it takes can differ from person to person.
Source: Center for Grief and Healing
