GRIEF

GRIEF

Sight

• Dim or blurry vision as tears well up.
• Stark or muted colors, reflecting a sense of gloom or disinterest in one’s surroundings.
• Photographs and mementos taking on a poignant significance, standing out in everyday settings.

Sound

• A quiet environment, with the absence of laughter or typical household sounds.
• Echoes of a loved one’s voice or particular phrases they used.
• Sudden loud noises feeling more jarring than usual.

Smell

• The scent of a deceased loved one’s clothing or personal items, evoking strong memories.
• A lack of attention to daily routines might lead to a buildup of stale or stagnant air in living spaces.
• The smell of funeral flowers like lilies or chrysanthemums.

Touch

• A physical emptiness or ache in one’s chest or arms, longing for a loved one’s embrace.
• The texture of a keepsake, such as a piece of clothing or a well-worn book, that was important to the loved one.
• Sensations of numbness or coldness, regardless of the actual temperature.

Taste

• A metallic or stale taste in the mouth, often accompanying moments of intense sadness.
• Loss of appetite or a disinterest in foods that one used to enjoy.
• Comfort foods that bring back memories of better times shared with the loved one, often having a poignant taste.

Internal Sensations

1. Emotional Turmoil: Feelings of sadness, anger, guilt, or numbness are common. Grief can feel like a rollercoaster of emotions, fluctuating rapidly.
2. Cognitive Effects: Difficulty concentrating, disorientation, and preoccupation with the loss. Thoughts might be consumed by memories or regrets.
3. Physical Symptoms: Grief can trigger physical responses such as tightness in the chest or throat, stomach pain, or overall fatigue.
4. Sleep Disturbances: Changes in sleep patterns, including insomnia or sleeping too much.
5. Appetite Changes: Loss of appetite or comfort eating are both possible reactions.
6. Anxiety and Depression: Intense worry or periods of deep sadness that feel as though they might never lift.

External Sensations

1. Tears and Sobbing: Crying is a natural and common physical expression of grief.
2. Restlessness: Inability to sit still, pacing, or a general feeling of being on edge.
3. Social Withdrawal: Pulling away from social interactions and preferring to be alone.
4. Vocal Expression: Sighing, groaning, or expressing pain and sadness through verbal outbursts.
5. Physical Slowness: Movements may become slower; the body might feel heavier, leading to sluggishness.
6. Changed Posture: Slumped shoulders or a lowered head, indicative of the emotional weight being carried.