Grief

FAQ
Typically, grief is said to occur in five stages — denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. However, it is generally recognized that not everyone experiences all of these stages and that they do not occur in a set order.
Grief is a process, and its duration varies greatly among individuals. There is no set timeline for how long a person grieves.
Yes, anger is a common and valid emotion during the grieving process, as are all emotions.
The best way to support someone who is grieving is to simply listen, be patient, and avoid minimizing their feelings.
If grief becomes overwhelming or interferes with your daily life, you may want to seek professional help in the form of a support group or an individual therapist.

Seth Gillihan, PhD
Medical Reviewer

Allison Young, MD
Medical Reviewer
Allison Young, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist providing services via telehealth throughout New York and Florida.
In addition to her private practice, Dr. Young serves as an affiliate professor of psychiatry at Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine. She previously taught and mentored medical trainees at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. She speaks at national conferences and has published scientific articles on a variety of mental health topics, most notably on the use of evidence-based lifestyle interventions in mental health care.
Young graduated magna cum laude from Georgetown University with a bachelor of science degree in neurobiology and theology. She obtained her doctor of medicine degree with honors in neuroscience and physiology from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. She continued her training at NYU during her psychiatry residency, when she was among a small group selected to be part of the residency researcher program and studied novel ways to assess and treat mental distress, with a focus on anxiety, trauma, and grief.
During her psychiatry training, Young sought additional training in women’s mental health and cognitive behavioral therapy. She has also studied and completed further training in evidence-based lifestyle interventions in mental health care, including stress management, exercise, and nutrition. She is an active member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, through which she helps create resources as well as educate physicians and patients on the intersection of lifestyle medicine and mental health.
- Coping With Grief and Loss. National Institute on Aging. July 15, 2024.
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