Death of a spouse is a devastating event, one that
is met with both physical and psychological reactions. Even if the death of
your loved one was expected, you go through a period of intense shock, grief,
and loss. Often, your body manifests the physical symptoms of anxiety,
depression or fear.
is met with both physical and psychological reactions. Even if the death of
your loved one was expected, you go through a period of intense shock, grief,
and loss. Often, your body manifests the physical symptoms of anxiety,
depression or fear.
This associated with the following:
1.
Increased adrenaline
An increase in adrenaline is one of the
characteristics of the “fight or flight” response to a crisis.
“Physical Stress of grieving”, and the loss of a loved one can
provoke this type of panic. This type of adrenaline spike can cause accelerated
heartbeat; a tingling feeling in the fingers or lips; and involuntary shakiness
of the limbs, hands or entire body. These symptoms can be very disturbing and
uncomfortable to the sufferer and are difficult to resolve because there is no
real physical “threat” to be confronted or avoided.
characteristics of the “fight or flight” response to a crisis.
“Physical Stress of grieving”, and the loss of a loved one can
provoke this type of panic. This type of adrenaline spike can cause accelerated
heartbeat; a tingling feeling in the fingers or lips; and involuntary shakiness
of the limbs, hands or entire body. These symptoms can be very disturbing and
uncomfortable to the sufferer and are difficult to resolve because there is no
real physical “threat” to be confronted or avoided.
2.
Exhaustion
Another common biological manifestation of grief
and loss is physical exhaustion. Exhaustion may be the result either of
insomnia, which is a very frequent occurrence among grieving spouses, or
depression. You may find that you’re sleeping too much and still very tired
throughout the day. It may be that this symptom will pass, or you may benefit
from an antidepressant medication.
and loss is physical exhaustion. Exhaustion may be the result either of
insomnia, which is a very frequent occurrence among grieving spouses, or
depression. You may find that you’re sleeping too much and still very tired
throughout the day. It may be that this symptom will pass, or you may benefit
from an antidepressant medication.
3.
Digestive problems
A lack of appetite is quite common among those
adjusting to a loss, and you may also experience some problems digesting food
you do manage to eat. Some of these digestive problems may include trouble
swallowing due to a constricted esophagus, nervous stomach, ulcers, vomiting,
constipation or diarrhea.
adjusting to a loss, and you may also experience some problems digesting food
you do manage to eat. Some of these digestive problems may include trouble
swallowing due to a constricted esophagus, nervous stomach, ulcers, vomiting,
constipation or diarrhea.
4.
Emotional numbness
One of the most common emotional effects of grief
does not feel particularly “emotional” at all. Particularly in the
beginning stages of grief, you may feel detached from your life, as though in a
dreamlike state. This feeling results from the shock of your grief. The amount
of time a person stays in this numb phase varies by individual. Your body and
mind are reacting to protect you, since assimilating the full reality of your
loss at once would be too painful.
does not feel particularly “emotional” at all. Particularly in the
beginning stages of grief, you may feel detached from your life, as though in a
dreamlike state. This feeling results from the shock of your grief. The amount
of time a person stays in this numb phase varies by individual. Your body and
mind are reacting to protect you, since assimilating the full reality of your
loss at once would be too painful.
5.
Anger
Sadness is the most common emotion associated with
death, but anger is another frequent feeling that is not often talked about.
You may irrationally become angry at your loved one for “abandoning”
you, or you may be angry with yourself for ways in which you disappointed your
love one in life.
death, but anger is another frequent feeling that is not often talked about.
You may irrationally become angry at your loved one for “abandoning”
you, or you may be angry with yourself for ways in which you disappointed your
love one in life.
