Why is it that when being told someone close has died, it takes a while to kick in?

Question

i have just been told that my friend who i've grew up with since birth (as mine and his mum are best friends and we went to the same schools) - died last night and it's not effected me yet? i feel like it should but it hasn't - when i got told i just said they're lying, i don't want to accept that he has gone for good as he never even made it to his 18th, the one thing he was looking forward to :( he was ALWAYS there for me, if anyone was to upset me, he'd make sure it would be better - he is my best friend so why am i not being effected that he has gone out my life and no longer there for me? :(

Answer 1

It's plain and simple shock. It hasn't registered yet that they are gone out of your life forever. It's the first stage of grief though. Shock, denial, etc. I am also sorry to hear about your loss. Buy a couple of pounds of cookie dough for when it kicks in.

Answer 2

defense mechanism

Answer 3

Sweetie, your probably in denial, subconsciously. When my aunt died, it was almost Christmas, and I kept expecting her to walk into the room, when I would suddenly remember, she wasn't going to. People suffer in different ways. That all I can say.