Exhaustion –

• Many people say they feel very tired/drained, or unmotivated.

Anger –

• Some young people feel very angry - towards the situation, loss, and unfairness.

Sadness –

• Sadness is a core part of the feelings of grief and loss, but not everyone experiences it.

Anxiety –

• Some young people feel stressed and anxious.

• You might feel very alert and on guard thinking something bad may happen. 

• Tense muscles and your heart beating faster than usual are common signs.

Apart from others –

• Many people talk about feeling alone and find it difficult to talk about their loss.

• Young people often think others won’t understand or be able to relate to their loss.

• It can be hard when people say nothing at all, or say things you may find upsetting.

Shame –

• Sometimes young people may feel ashamed about their situation after loss.

• Jordan reported feeling ashamed about their Dad who died in a car crash and was reported to have been drinking and driving at the time.

• Young people can worry about feeling different to their friends after loss, or shame accompanied by self-critical thoughts like ‘what’s wrong with me’.

Guilt – Young people can often feel guilty after a loss for various reasons, including:

• Believing that they may have had some part in it or done something to prevent it. 

• Regretting the things they may have said, or did not say, for example, not having a chance to tell their loved one how much they loved them.

• Having fun or feeling happy after a loss.

Relief –

• Sometimes young people can feel relief or other positive feelings.

• Relief is not inappropriate, it is normal. For example, Taylor felt some sense of relief after Nanna died that she was not suffering anymore.

Feeling unwell –

• Sometimes you can feel sick, like having an upset stomach from the stress after loss.

Numb –

• Sometimes people can feel numb after loss, or might not know what they are feeling.