How long does it take to feel better after losing a spouse or lover to death?

I have never lost my spouse and pray I never do . I honestly think I would be like your friend and don't know how I would cope . Others have said that you always manage but this is not always the case . Some people have a really hard time handling things like this . My mother lost her boyfried to cancer many years ago and is only starting to get over the loss now . I don't believe she will ever fully recover from the loss of this and many times I have worried about her myself and have not known what to say because she was so depressed and when I would try to talk to her about it , she always says that she is fine . She does seem to be doing much better lately but I am not really sure if she will ever get over this or not . I wish I had something to offer you as I realize this is a good friend of yours but don't believe there is much you can do for her except be there for her when she needs you . She really does need some counseling but if she can't afford this maybe you could find out if there was anything that would be more affordable to her . You may not find anything like this but you could keep your eyes open and maybe mention it to your doctor that you are worried about a friend and are just wondering if there was any options that you could do for her . Best of luck and I am really sorry to hear about your friend because as a good friend this would be very difficult for you to see her like this after all this time .

I think it depends on the person, for me I don't know if I have ever really gotten over the lose of a loved one. I know that it is not as hard now as it was when they first past away, but there is still a void felt by me. I guess maybe time does cure all wounds, but regardless it still hurts.

I've never lost a partner, but I did lose my brother unexpectedly. I don't think there is any set time for recovery. I know it was sometime between a year and two years later before I started to feel "normal". I don't think you ever get over losing someone, you just get used to it. For me, antidepressants helped during the really bad periods. If your friend can't afford therapy, maybe her GP could prescribe some for her? I know that it is possible to find free and low cost counseling, as well. Or, if she is religious, perhaps her pastor could help.

I am sorry to hear about this. I think it depends on individual on the duration to recover from a loss of beloved one. Everyone eventually will face this, so there is really not much others can help but the person herself need to get over it. Just accompany her more, may be walk in mall, gathering with old friends, keep her busy with things that she is interested into. I wish you and your friend all the best!

your right she needs help. it seems that everybody around her has tried to do what they can to help her and have not help.now she has turn to drinking.people deal with a lost of a love one in different ways but,when they get like your friend they need help you can look up some free programs inyour city that may help her.

She really does need serious professional help if it's been seven years now. Maybe all her friends could get together and take a collection to help her to afford some counseling. I lost my husband almost 2 years ago to a stroke, with no prior warning of any medical conditions that might have existed, and I am just starting to feel like my life is getting back to some type of normal routine. I also have a son who is 19 now who I also had to force myself to go on for, sometimes it helps to have another person to worry about than just yourself and the terrible feelings of emptiness.

I can only speak for myself on this one, and I would never feel better.She means too much to me, I'd only be waiting to see her again.

I think each person goes through the grief process differently, but your friend sounds as if she is not moving on at all. There are many counseling agencies that counsel on a sliding scale now and sometimes even free, maybe you can find something along those lines for her. Or even pastoral counseling which is normally free. I think you are a good friend to her, and just keep doing what you are doing, letting her talk and being there for her.