THE HEALTH | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER , 2021

However , the losses are more than a count or a statistic ; it is a rock tossed into the ocean , unleashing an infinite number of ripples . Many of us may have lost something in the last year and a half : a loved one , a relationship , a career , a habit , a way of life , and perhaps even a sense of purpose .

While we are all suffering collectively , we are not all grieving collectively . Prior to Covid-19 , we may choose to alleviate our sadness through a variety of distractions : job , friends and daily responsibilities .

We had a community of human connection with which to unite and support . We are now concealed , separated and divided . How are we to survive in this period of history by delving deeply into our untapped reserves ?

While grief is an unwanted guest , if we learn to accommodate it , we may also discover a new , lighter way of life . With the pandemic impacting so many people , grief and the mourning process are receiving a lot of attention these days .

What is sorrow , its symptoms and how long does it last ? I will discuss what to expect from grieving in this article , as well as suggestion for navigating the process .

What is grief ?

According to the National Library of Medicine , grief is “ the natural process of responding to a loss .” It is not a state of being or a single occurrence ; rather , it is a journey . “ Loss ” can refer to a variety of various things . We develop feelings for people , animals , projects and things .

Each lost connection might make us feel helpless . Nonetheless , humans possess an extraordinary ability for enduring loss , regardless of how painful it may be . Different forms of grief hit at varying periods throughout a loss .

For example , immediately following a death or the end of a relationship , you enter an intense mourning phase , yearning for the person who is no longer in your life while struggling with the accompanying emotions , which range from rage and remorse to disbelief . You gradually come to accept and adjust to the loss . Sharp feelings of grief become more distant .

Grief is the natural reaction to a loss . Grief pain enables an emotional processing of the significance of what has been lost and reintegration of the meaning created by the loved one .

What causes grief ?

Grief is inextricably linked to the loss of a loved one . However , individuals lament for a variety of reasons . Any type of loss qualifies , including divorce , the death of a pet , the loss of a job , a physical injury or a broken relationship . Grief may also occur at times of change , such as moving to a new house or the first time a child leaves the nest .

There is a distinct type of grief : ambiguous loss , or loss without the certainty of death or genuine closure , which can make initiating the mourning process even more difficult . This is the type of loss that society endured during the pandemic : “ We lost faith in the world , we lost the capacity to physically be with friends and we lost our routines ”.

While none of these events result in death , they do result in significant loss of control over our own life . This uncertainty may be quite distressing .

Symptoms of grief

Grief may manifest itself in a variety of physical and mental symptoms . “ It may

BY DR WAEL MY MOHAMED

manifest as shock , melancholy , tearfulness , depression , rage , or restlessness and difficulties concentrating , as well as alterations in one ’ s ideas and perceptions of the world . When you are mourning , you may find it more difficult to accomplish the routine daily chores that you are accustomed to .

Contemplations of the loss may occur frequently and suddenly , eliciting strong emotions . According to the American Academy of Family Physicians , physical symptoms of sorrow include headaches , weight fluctuations , and gastrointestinal problems .

Additionally , physical symptoms such as fatigue , chest aches , and muscular tightness may occur . The mourning process , according to experts , is divided into five stages : denial , anger , bargaining , sadness , and eventually , acceptance .

Within this concept , individuals go through stages , although not necessarily in a sequential way . While this approach is beneficial , bear in mind that there is no “ right ” way to grieve . Some people will grieve quietly , while others may get overwhelmed by sadness and become temporarily unable to function . The event has the potential to transform you , altering your perception of what is truly essential in life .

People sometimes refer to sadness as “ broken-hearted ” and it turns out that grief does really have a cardiac effect . Hormones and neurochemicals produced during the stress reaction following loss induce an increase in heart rate and blood pressure . The stress associated with the death of a family member might potentially result in a disease known as “ broken-heart syndrome ” .

According to the American Heart Association , this occurs when a portion of your heart momentarily expands and becomes less efficient at pumping , while the remainder of your heart operates normally or with even more powerful contractions .

Grief , too , has an effect on the brain . Immediately following a loss , the areas of the brain responsible for processing powerful emotions and memories slow down . This may explain why many mourning individuals report feeling disoriented , confused , and somewhat zombie-like , particularly early on .

For the majority of us , such bodily changes lessen over time as the intensity of our grieving diminishes , resulting in “ integrated mourning ”.

We do not want to believe that mourning will remain profound for the remainder of our life . Generally , it does not . It fades into the background as it quietens , softens , and fades away . It is what is referred to as “ Post-Grief .”

The phrase used to describe the time period that “ begins when the most acute reactions to a loss begins to fade ”. It predominately encompasses the remainder of our life .

How long does grief last ?

There is no fixed timetable for grieving . Some people take a long time to recuperate , while others heal very quickly .

Sometimes , grief can be postponed . Not everyone instantly experiences grief . Many individuals experience sorrow in waves , they feel it and are unable to deal with it in the present , so it recedes into the recesses of their minds .

Months will pass , long after the shock and denial of the loss have passed and they will begin to feel sadness . Grief that is more severe and profound might endure months or even years .

There is no definitive end date for feeling grief in any manner . That is , if a loved one who is a significant part of your life dies , you will grieve them in some way for the remainder of your life . However , the mourning process will generally grow less severe .

While intense sorrow passes , an individual may continue to struggle to move on and handle work , life and daily activities . The following techniques can facilitate the process : Seek assistance Counselling for grief will assist you in processing your ideas and feelings . Additionally , you can seek assistance from support groups , mental health experts , religious institutions or spiritual practises . Make contact with others Human beings do not grieve properly when left to their own devices . Those who are grieving should seek out someone with whom to share their feelings and process their loss . Take part in bereavement rituals and sensitise yourself While your feelings may be strong , do not deny them or avoid thinking about your loved one or what you have lost . Recognising these emotions will assist you in processing the loss . How to assist a bereaved loved one The most important thing you can do is listen and provide sympathy . Communicate with the mourning individual through text , invite them on walks and ensure they have a support structure in place . Additionally , you may initiate discussion .

Offering inquiries about the dead and fostering thought and recollections are helpful . Additionally , do not be afraid to provide practical assistance , such as dropping off food , assisting with child or pet care or making important phone calls .

These simple actions may make a world of difference when someone is too angry to cook or is juggling daily obligations . Consider the individual who is mourning and adjust your reaction accordingly . — The Health

Dr Wael MY Mohamed is with the Department of Basic Medical Science , Kulliyyah of Medicine , International Islamic University Malaysia ( IIUM ).