Feeling bereft

If your appearance has changed later in life, you may encounter feelings similar to that of bereavement. This is perfectly normal, and is your psyche’s way of processing the loss of your previous appearance. You might also be processing other losses, such as the loss of your previous health and a loss of function. It’s not unusual for past, seemingly unrelated losses to come up again, which can confuse and compound your feelings.

You may find yourself going through a variety of emotions which are often termed the ‘stages of grief’. These stages include shock and denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and eventually acceptance. These stages don’t occur in a linear pattern, and you may find you move back and forth through them.

Everyone responds differently to their loss depending on how you have managed past experiences loss, the availability of good support, and the value that you previously placed on your appearance. For some people it can take a long time, perhaps up to two years or more, to reach a place of acceptance or adjustment.