Grief attacks activate alarm, pain, and longing centers in the brain simultaneously

Grief can strike unexpectedly, manifesting as trembling, difficulty breathing, a racing heart, and uncontrollable crying. When triggered by the loss of a loved one, this intense emotional state is often accompanied by a profound sense of longing. This combination of panic-like physical symptoms, deep sorrow, and yearning appears to be characteristic of acute grief.

Grief, while a natural part of life, is far from painless. Research published in the Journal of Clinical and Basic Psychosomatics highlights that grief can disrupt sleep and eating patterns, while the associated stress can weaken the immune system. For long-term partners, the death of one spouse can even increase the mortality risk for the survivor.

Mentally, grief can present as intense longing, sadness, and anger. Thoughts may fixate on the deceased, particularly if the death was tragic. Experiencing sensory perceptions of the deceased, such as feeling their presence or hearing their voice, is also relatively common among those grieving.

Severe grief can impact brain function, leading to difficulties with memory and attention. According to psychologist Sherman Lee, grief attacks activate several brain regions simultaneously, including those associated with fear, pain, longing, and reward. The amygdala, the brain's emotional and fear center, reacts as if in a threat situation, while the reward system engages in the intense longing for the lost loved one. Simultaneously, brain areas linked to pain experience are activated, making the grief feel overwhelming.

Lee advises seeking professional help when grief becomes too difficult to manage or impairs daily functioning, as severe episodes can lead to accidents. Researchers suggest emotional regulation techniques, such as redirecting attention to the present moment by focusing on concrete sensory experiences. They also propose that instead of trying to mentally let go of the deceased, the relationship can continue through memories and meaningful rituals, like visiting a grave or lighting a candle. The idea is not to fight grief but to allow it to come and go.

“

The brain's emotion and fear center, the amygdala, reacts as if in a threat situation. The reward system is involved in the intense longing for the lost loved one. At the same time, brain areas associated with the experience of pain are activated. That's why a grief attack can feel so devastating.