Understanding Bereavement and Adjustment

Have you lost a loved one, or are you the care giver of someone special? Perhaps you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a terminal illness? Or perhaps you are someone going through a major life change?

Grief and major life changes can touch every part of you; your emotions, your thoughts, your energy, and even your sense of who you are. After a significant loss or life transition, you may find yourself feeling deeply saddened, unsettled, tired, anxious, or disconnected. Sleep may be harder, focus may slip, and things that once felt manageable can suddenly feel heavy. These experiences are not signs that something is “wrong” with you. They are natural responses to loss, change, and the effort of adapting to a new reality. And when they begin to feel overwhelming or start to interfere with daily life, it’s okay to reach for support. You don’t have to go through these moments alone, and you deserve care that honors what you’ve been through and where you are now.

Let us help you

• Make peace with your life

• Determine how you want your transition to look

• Navigate family dynamics  

• Find a balance between self-care and taking care of your loved one

• Come to a place where you can bring love into your interactions again instead of resentment

• Learn to enjoy and appreciate the time that you may still have with your loved one

• Create a space for your grief, to honor it, while still caring for your own needs

If you feel like you still need more information about grief and adjustment and its treatment read below:

Presentation of Bereavement or Adjustment Challenges

Indicators may include:

• feelings of sadness, emptiness, or emotional heaviness

• mood swings or irritability

• feeling internally overwhelmed or struggling to cope

• sleep disturbances

• fatigue or reduced motivation

• changes in daily routines

• issues with focus or memory

• struggles in relaxing or engaging in everyday tasks

• inner conflicts related to purpose, identity, or direction

• feelings of anxiety, unease, or instability

Symptoms may develop gradually, and internal distress may not always manifest as sadness; some individuals may feel numb, detached, or emotionally drained.

Contributing Factors and Intersection

Symptoms tied to bereavement and adaptation may intersect with:

• anxiety

• depression

• stress from trauma or pressure

• persistent stress

• changes in identity

• pressures of caregiving

• disruptions in sleep

• unresolved issues related to relationships or life stages

Evaluation aims to determine if symptoms align with a typical grieving process, an adjustment problem, or a concurrent mental health issue, and whether additional help would be beneficial.

Assessment for Bereavement & Adjustment

The assessment includes:

• the onset, duration, and severity of symptoms

• life stressors or transitions experienced

• changes in sleep patterns and lifestyle

• the emotional journey internally

• safety concerns

• medical and psychiatric history

• potential exposure to trauma if applicable

Diagnosing bereavement and adjustment does not require lab tests. Medical assessment may be necessary if fatigue, cognitive changes, or hormonal shifts are suspected clinically.

Approaches to Care for Bereavement & Adjustment

Care methods can involve:

• therapy and emotional support

• techniques for grounding or regulating the nervous system

• adjustments in sleep patterns and lifestyle

• integrative support as deemed appropriate

• psychiatric medication if needed for severe distress, safety concerns, or concurrent conditions

Care for bereavement and adjustment is collaborative, gradual, and supportive, allowing space for processing emotions, finding meaning, and adapting.

Areas that we serve:

Assessment and care for bereavement or adjustment are available:

• in-person in Western North Carolina

• through secure telepsychiatry in:

  • North Carolina

  • Virginia

  • South Carolina

  • Maine

Initiating Care

A complimentary 15-minute consultation is offered to assess the potential benefits of supportive care during bereavement or adjustment.

Reliable Sources for This Page:

1. American Psychiatric Association – Overview of Adjustment Disorders

2. Mayo Clinic – Grief and Emotional Adjustment

3. WHO – Mental Disorders (includes adjustment challenges within stress response)