How can grief affect the brain?

Grief is a common occurrence in life. Experiencing the loss of a relationship, a loved one, or even denial of a desired school or work position can result in intense feelings of grief. Sadness, anger, pain, and fear are often associated with grief. While most of us are familiar with the emotions associated, fewer of us are aware of the impact that grief may have on the brain or how it responds to loss.

The brain views and approaches grief in the same way that it does a traumatic event. Trauma to the brain is often associated with physical head trauma, but grief and emotional trauma impact the brain as well. Emotional traumatic brain injury is a relatively new concept that researchers are steadily building a case for. Emotional trauma is thought to cause changes in brain function in the same way that physical head trauma may.

The brain responds to lose as experienced with grief with the stress response cycle or fight or flight response. This causes a chain reaction of events in the body meant to prepare us to address a threat. Because grief is an ongoing process, this activation of the fight or flight system may be ongoing. The effects of ongoing activation of the stress response cycle are well documented. Physical symptoms like headaches, sleep disruption, restlessness, agitation, stomach upset, physical aches and pains from tight or stiff muscles, and more can result. The long-term impacts on the health of ongoing activation of the stress response cycle can impact overall health.

People also tend to associate grief with the idea of stages or steps as a process because of the well-known five stages of grief model introduced many years ago. For some, this model of grieving may resonate, but for others, it may not. Grief is a process that is unique to each individual, and it may not proceed in an organized way, and “stages” may repeat themselves many times.

If you’re experiencing grief after a significant loss, feelings of intense sadness and pain, changed sleep, and more can be normal parts of that. If you feel that waves of grief are interfering with your ability to function through your daily routines and obligations, or if you begin to experience signs of depression-like feeling hopeless or thoughts of suicide, talk with your doctor, visit your nearest emergency room, or contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-272-8255.