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The pain of loss: Why is it so difficult for our hearts to heal?
Loss often brings deep pain and distress, whether it is the death of a loved one, the breakdown of a relationship, or the loss of work and health, all of which make us experience a vortex of grief. Human responses to loss involve more than just emotional outpourings; they involve physiological, cognitive, and behavioral aspects. Although the words "loss" and "grief" are often used interchangeably, they actually have different meanings: loss is a state, and grief is a response to that state. In our journey of life, how can we regain ourselves when faced with loss?
The Grieving Process"Grief is a complex process. It is not just an outpouring of emotion, but also the challenge of rebuilding yourself and your life."
After twenty years of research, psychologist George Bonanno has identified four types of grief trajectories in response to loss. These studies show that many people display a natural resilience in the face of loss, allowing them to quickly return to a normal routine. In this way, this inner resilience becomes an important pillar in our ability to overcome loss.
"Resilience is a natural human response. Most of us are able to adapt and recover in the face of grief and trauma."
Diverse Responses to Grief
Grief manifests itself in different ways, and crying is one response, but it's not the only healthy one. Sometimes, denial of sadness or failure to express emotion may be a need for self-protection. Therefore, the researchers summarized this seemingly abnormal reaction as an "ugly coping strategy," which shows the psychological depth and complexity of people when facing loss.
The intersection of physiology and psychology
Research on sadness shows that expressing the emotion triggers a range of physiological responses. The study found that fMRI scans taken during grief situations showed increased activity in specific brain regions that are closely associated with emotion processing, suggesting that grief is a state that blends both psychological and physiological states.
"Sadness is not just about emotional release, it also involves physical reactions, and its impact should be taken seriously."
Sadness from an evolutionary perspective
From an evolutionary perspective, the existence of sadness seems to be a cost, giving us reason to think about its meaning. Many researchers have proposed that grief, as a product of the human attachment system, prompts social organisms to seek out lost individuals within interpersonal relationships. However, when death occurs, this response becomes somewhat useless, as the lost individuals cannot be reunited.
Complicated Grief and Its Risks
While sadness is a normal part of life, when it becomes persistent and intense it can become a disorder. According to research, about 10% to 15% of people experience severe reactions that are not limited to mood swings but also include effects on physical health. Symptoms of complicated grief may lead to persistent psychological and physical dysfunction, which in turn may lead to further health problems.
"Understanding the process of complicated grief helps us distinguish between normal grief and pathological grief, which is crucial for treating and supporting patients."
Loss is a part of life, and everyone handles grief differently. Can we learn a deeper meaning of life and find a new balance through the grieving process?
