Surviving Grief ... and Learning to Live Again

by Catherine M. Sanders

An insightful, compassionate account of the grieving process thathelps us through the pain and isolation experienced with the lossof a loved one.. We're never really prepared for the loss ofsomeone we love. Thrown into a state of emotional chaos weexperience rage, guilt, anxiety, and intense sadness all at once.It's the oldest story in the world, we tell ourselves -- millionsof people have had to cope with this before -- and yet, we alwaysbelieve that what we are experiencing is unique to us. We feelisolated in our anguish and often ashamed of what we are feeling. Aprofoundly compassionate and insightful book, Surviving Grief.& Learning to Live Again offers you the support andunderstanding you need to get you through this difficult time.Written by Dr. Catherine Sanders, a therapist and researcherspecializing in bereavement issues and one who has lived throughthe loss of close family members, it helps you to see that what youare feeling is part of a natural process of readjustment andrenewal. According to Dr. Sanders, grieving, like any other naturalregenerative process, must be allowed to run its proper course ifwe are ever to regain our equilibrium and continue on with ourlives. To help us better understand the process, she describes thefive universal phases of Shock, Awareness of Loss,Conservation and The Need to Withdraw, Healing, and Renewal, andguides us through each. Drawing directly from her own experiencesand those of her clients and her research studies, she delvesdeeply and compassionately into the different experiences of grief,and talks about what it means to lose a mate, a parent, or a child.And she discusses the factors that can have an influence on thegrieving process, such as age, gender, and the circumstancessurrounding the loved one's death.

Genres: Grief, Nonfiction

222 pages, Paperback

First published April 29, 1992

About the author

CATHERINE M. SANDERS, PhD, is a psychologist in private practice. As an expert on grief and loss, she has conducted research, written many journal articles and has lectured extensively on the subject. She received the 1991 award for Outstanding Contribution in the Field of Death-Related Counseling from the Association for Death Education and Counseling [Clinical Practice Award].

Reviews

[Vanessa Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of course this book is at times very depressing, I saw it recommended on a blog at work and agree that it’s got a lot of very interesting content. I like that she provides a light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak, but appreciates that the journey to get there will be/is awful, but everyone goes through it in some way. I think I will read this again in the future when I need it!

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book to assist in understanding Grief and how it affects us.

[Christina Mages · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of all the grief books I have read, this one helped me the most. I really learned a lot of new things from this book.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of 15 books gifted to me after my husband's passing. Somewhat helpful. Most books of they style and content are more of a guide in the right direction. Not one fits all.

[J Crossley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book very educational. The author describes different stages of grief that include more than Elizabeth Kubler-Ross' five stages of grief. Not only does the author describe the stage, she also provides information about what you will feel in each stage. Each chapter ends with ways that you can help yourself move through that grief stage.