The semantic meanings of the adjectives normal and abnormal seem to be too generalized; for this reason, one is to keep in mind the areas the terms are to be applied to. For instance, according to the psychological field of study, one can define the adjectives in the following way:
Normal psychological state means a person’s reasonable and realistic approach towards a certain situation, problem, thing, etc.
Normal state is characterized by a number of signs, which most important involve an efficient perception of reality, affectionate relationships with others, feeling comfortably, an ability to control behavior without any efforts, and an ability to maintain productivity.
When classifying abnormality or abnormal psychological state, a wide range of social and cultural variables should be taken into account.
Generally, abnormal state can be characterized by learning disabilities, depression, phobic disorders, etc. Simply speaking, if a person feels bad or depressed a considerable period of time without any reason, his or her emotional state is considered to be abnormal.
When applying the terms to grief, one is to distinguish between normal grief and abnormal grief. Thus, it seems to be evident that normal grieving is associated with a kind of loss.
For instance, a death, a divorce, a dismissal are all recognized to be the notions, which form the category “a loss”. These causes of a person’s grief are normal.
Alarm, numbness, searching, depression and recovery are the stages normal grieving is based on. Normal grief involves a variety of emotional responses, which most common are considered to be anger or irritability, loneliness, anxiety, shock, the feeling of helplessness, cynicism, sadness and guilt.
The most widespread physical reactions include headaches, insomnia, fatigue, confusion, poor concentration, loss of direction, etc. If a person understands the importance of healthy eating and sleeping, and tries to take care of himself/herself despite being depressed, one can conclude that he or she experiences normal grieving.
If a person does not refuse to communicate with friends, family members, etc. and can talk about his or her feelings and problems, then he or she experiences normal grieving. Finally, it is necessary to point out that normal grieving means a person accepts the reality of a loss.
Abnormal grief reactions can be caused by the same losses; although a person’s response to a kind of loss is regarded as unhealthy. Thus, abnormal grieving involves self-destructive impulses, a phobia about a serious disease or death, chronic depression, loss of speech, etc.
If a person implements certain radical changes in his or her mode of life, wants to commit a suicide, cannot control his or her behavior, one can make a conclusion that a person experiences abnormal grieving.
It should be noted that not all problems people face can be easily resolved. The reactions to the obstacles are more important than the ways of resolution.
If a person cannot find a way to resolve a problem, he or she is to seek some alternative techniques. For instance, the problems, which seem to have no resolution, can be ignored.
In other words, it is necessary to switch over to another task, in order to divert a person’s attention away from a problem. On the other hand, a person is to wait for some time; sometimes the formation of a right decision requires a considerable period of time.