We’re beginning to understand the sudden ‘grief attacks’ that hit mourners
A few years ago, psychologist Sherman Lee experienced a "grief attack". When he set out to study them, he discovered just how powerful and all-consuming grief can be
Grief can manifest in numerous ways, affecting every facet of a person's life, from sleep and eating patterns to emotional and spiritual experiences. Psychologist Sherman Lee, from Christopher Newport University in Virginia, recounts a sudden, intense episode of grief he experienced after losing a beloved pet. Lee, an expert on grief, co-authored a recent study of almost 250 people who had experienced what he calls "grief attacks."
These episodes are characterized by panic, yearning, despair, and incoherent thinking, and are distinguished from standard grief by their physical symptoms and intense, sudden onset. Lee's research, along with that of pioneer grief therapist Therese Rando, has helped to scientifically define and validate the existence of grief attacks. The study identifies four main characteristics: panic, yearning, despair, and incoherent thinking, along with a validated tool for recognizing and evaluating these symptoms.
While the exact prevalence of grief attacks is unclear, the researchers believe it is a real condition that can be studied and potentially treated. The key difference between grief attacks and panic attacks lies in their unique combination of physical and emotional symptoms, with grieving individuals experiencing both intense anxiety and profound yearning for their lost loved ones.
Factors like anxiety sensitivity and stress buildup may contribute to a person's likelihood of experiencing a grief attack, suggesting that understanding these underlying causes could help in managing and preventing these intense emotional reactions.
Written by urgent.news from New Scientist's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
