The death of a loved one or any other major loss is usually followed by the slow and erratic process of grieving. People often say that it took a year or more before their life began to feel “normal” again. It is important to maintain contact with a support network of people you trust through this difficult time. Emotional ups and downs are a normal part of the process. However, PTSD, severe depression, anxiety and phobias are not normal grieving.

You might want to seek out the help and advice of a therapist in order to sort out your feelings and to prevent the development of any serious problems. Organized support groups of other people who are going through situations similar to yours are useful tools for coping with grief.