Numbness

A sense of feeling numb after loss is as common as shock and disorganization. It’s all part of being in disbelief of what has happened. And like shock, it holds a purpose – to assist you in taking in what has happened in small doses.

Numbness is just that… you’re numb and can’t really feel anything. It doesn’t mean the person will carry on in their day as though nothing has happened. What others will see is that they are ‘shut down’ and have no desire to do anything. They may lack the initiative to get started on things or even to meet their own needs. They may not want to get out of bed and they may wander around with a sense of ‘what’s the point’.

Feeling numb is a normal response in the grief process. It is not the same as postponing grief. When a person postpones their grief, they are pushing it aside until they feel it will be safe to deal with their feelings. This is unhealthy and has severe consequences such as the grief journey never ending. A sense of numbness is temporary and takes place early in the journey.

Photo Credit: Graur Codrin:
http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=982