Effects of Grief on Mental Health

Grief is loss of loved one.  This loved one could be a human being or even the social things like job or opportunity.  Death is universal truth and nobody can overcome this truth. When a person dies, his dear ones grieve as they feel that irreparable loss has occurred. The way people grieve may different for each individual. However, whatever may be the way, grief surely produce certain adverse effects on mind and body.


The death of loved one is considered as the main upsetting event in anyone’s life. Whatever may be the form of death (either sudden or expected) no one can avoid the grief.  You should not look at grieving as self-indulgence but it is requirement of loss.   Grieving time is very difficult and you require real courage to cope up with this time.


It is a psychological process.   Grieving may frighten you and you may develop fear of suffering from mental sickness. There are number of emotions and individual goes through during grieving time.   Grieving is a natural psychological process. Building courage to cope up with grief will help you in avoiding complications created by grieving.   Grieving people are considered more vulnerable to physical and mental problems.  Each individual may have his own way of grieving or expressing his emotions.  Following are some of the most common symptoms and emotions displayed by grieving individuals.


Shock
Bewilderment, anger
Feeling of despair
Numbness or inability to feel pressure
Vivid dreams
Extreme sadness
Restlessness, anxiety, tense
Avoidance of or clinging to memories
Forgetfulness
Self-blame or inability to focus


Every person has his own way of grieving.   Avoiding it or sticking to it is less important. What is important here is cope up with the grief and move through it.   If a person has difficulties in coping up with grief he will be benefited by counseling from medical professional. Such counseling will assist the grieving individuals in moving through the process of grieving.


Following are the common symptoms and emotions that a grieving individual may display. Such grieving individuals require professional assistance to move through grieving process.


Hostility
Separation anxiety
Rage
Avoidance of grief
Inability to interact or respond
Panic attacks or depression
Thoughts of suicide or homicide
Behavioral changes like self-destructive behavior


There is no established or laid down way for grieving.   The severity of grief, mild or extremely intense, depends upon the type of loss the individual has suffered.  Like way of grieving, there is no laid down period for grief. If an individual is unable to cope up with the grief in considerably longer period, say within period of about six months or a year, there are more chances of individual getting stuck in the grief or denial.   There should be a support system to closely monitor the symptoms and emotions of grieving individuals during this time.