What is Grief? Types, Symptoms and Effects

According to research, 1 in 5 will experience a death or loss of someone close to them before reaching adolescence. We all grieve and process emotions in different ways, which are influenced by the environment in which we’re brought up. 

Following that, many people may not fully understand what grief is and how it can affect human emotions. For reference, grief is an emotional and natural bodily response when we lose somebody close to us, including a family member, close friend, or loved one. 

In this article, we’re going to explore what grief means, its different types, effects, and how to deal with grief. If you or someone you know is going through a difficult time in life and needs help, Saalvio offers extensive features to support you. 

What is Grief?

Feelings of shock, numbness, and profound grief are common during the grieving process, along with occasional rage. As time passes, most people may feel less intense sadness and have fewer episodes of stated grief, such as sobbing.

When answering the question “how long does grief last,” APA states that grief can last from six months to two years. As mentioned earlier, everyone goes through grief in their own unique way. Grief can often leave people feeling emotionally and physically drained. For some, even routine activities like leaving the house can feel overwhelming. In such a state, becoming active can be a way of coping with it.

One should keep in mind that grief does not follow a predictable pattern. People express grief in different ways, some prefer to keep their feelings private, while others find comfort in sharing them. After a loved one dies, it’s normal to feel lingering sadness and loneliness but over time, many people find ways to adapt and heal. However, the majority of people are able to rediscover joy after a while. Some instances that may result in feeling grief include:

• The loss or death of a pet 
• Death of a close loved one
• Suicide bereavement
• Infertility or miscarriage
• Natural disasters
• Divorce or breakup
• Financial or job loss
• Shifting to a new location

Types of Grief

Grief can be experienced in different ways, and understanding it can help cope with the sadness and assist in learning how to deal with grief. Some major types and how to manage grief are discussed below:

1. Anticipatory Grief: This type of grief is when you’re aware of the loss beforehand. For instance, you get to know about a loved one’s terminal illness. The news will prepare you to handle it when the time comes.
2. Delayed Grief: When you lose someone, instead of reacting immediately, you respond to the loss after some time has passed. This is known as delayed grief. For example, you got to know about the sudden passing of your grandma, but instead of reacting to the news at her funeral, you got the realization after a few weeks. 
3. Cumulative Grief: If you experience more than one loss simultaneously, it results in cumulative grief. This type of grief can be particularly difficult to process and cope with, especially when multiple losses occur close together.
4. Complicated Grief: When a person grieves for an extended time and in an extreme manner that affects their daily functioning, it’s termed as complicated grief. Some individuals may experience intense emotional distress, and in severe cases, may benefit from professional support to address thoughts of hopelessness or self-harm. 
5. Inhibited Grief: Some people repress their emotions when confronted with a loss. This can suppress their feelings and may show up in the form of physical ailments like bad gut health or chest pains. 

Our therapist can help you better understand the grieving process and support you in finding healthy ways to cope. 

In addition to professional help, the Saalvio app can provide day-to-day support between sessions. Saalvio offers unique features such as an anger diary to help you safely express difficult emotions, a mood tracker to monitor emotional patterns over time, and guided exercises like meditation and breathing techniques to manage stress. 

The app also includes expert-developed manuals that offer practical insights into grief, loss, and recovery, all designed to empower you with self-awareness and emotional resilience as you navigate your healing journey.

Symptoms of Grief

Grief can affect both emotions and physical health. It’s important to learn about the symptoms or warning signs of grief to better understand and manage your grief in a healthy way. Some major grief symptoms are mentioned below. 

Physical Symptoms:

1. Nausea and vomiting
2. Upset stomach or diarrhea 
3. Headaches
4. Fatigue
5. Fidgeting
6. Chest tightening
7. Body pains
8. Heart palpitations
9. Trouble sleeping

Emotional Symptoms

1. Feeling emotionally overwhelmed
2. Experiencing sudden waves of emotion
3. Unpredictable mood patterns
4. Feeling sad and angry simultaneously 
5. Feeling emotionally detached
6. Withdrawing from others or becoming unusually quiet
7. Feeling disconnected or unlike yourself
8. Feeling guilty about moving forward or experiencing joy

Symptoms can vary from person to person. Some might only experience the emotional symptoms, while others may experience a combination of both physical and emotional symptoms. In any case, seek the help of a professional therapist to manage your grief properly. 

How Many Stages of Grief Are There?

It is also important to understand the stages of grief. Psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross introduced the five stages of grief to describe common emotional responses to loss. These stages are not always experienced in order, and not everyone goes through all of them.

• Denial: Difficulty accepting the loss.
• Anger: Blaming something for the loss and getting angry.
• Bargaining: Dwelling on ‘what if’ scenarios or making silent deals in hopes of reversing the loss.
• Depression: Exhibiting symptoms of depression, such as emotional detachment.
• Acceptance: At last, accepting the loss and the fact that there’s nothing you could do.

Effects of Grieving and Coping With Them

Grief can be emotionally and physically overwhelming, and it may feel like there’s no way forward. Following that, the effects of grieving can be similar to those of depression. 

In some cases, grief can lead to prolonged emotional distress that resembles or develops into depression. Talk to your healthcare provider to manage your symptoms and receive treatment. There are some other ways you can try to cope with the effects of grief:

• Prioritize your sleep for at least 8-9 hours a day. 
• Eat a healthy diet to prevent the physical symptoms. 
• Do regular exercise to keep your body active. 
• Practice mindfulness by doing meditation, yoga, or other breathing exercises. 
• Accept your emotions and try to process them slowly rather than suppressing them. 
• Be in touch with your friends and family for support during this hard time. 
• Talk to a therapist or use resources like Saalvio for professional help. 

If your grief is taking longer than anticipated, it’s time to take professional help. Get connected with a certified expert by using Saalvio. The Saalvio app can help you understand how to cope with grief​ in between sessions and manage your mental health. 

FAQs

How long does grief last?

Grief has no set timeline; it can last for weeks, months, or even years, depending on the individual and the nature of the loss. If grief begins to interfere with daily life or feels overwhelming, seeking support from a therapist can be very helpful..

Is grief different from depression?

Yes, grief and depression are different. Grief is a natural emotional response to loss, while depression is a clinical mental health condition. Although grief can sometimes resemble depression, especially if it’s prolonged or complicated, they are distinct and should be approached differently. 

What is the difference between grief and mourning?

Grief is the feeling inside us, whereas mourning is the outward expression of that feeling. Both are different from the other and are expressed distinctly.