The phrase “grief attack” has been used for years to characterize a severe wave of sadness associated with grief.

It also goes by other names, such as loss-related panic, grief pangs, and grief spasms.

This experience is well-known among therapists and many who have experienced loss.

If you ever experience one, it’s a truly amazing phenomenon that can truly shake you to your core.

Adults who had lost someone and reported having grief attacks, with almost half experiencing them once or twice daily.

These grief attacks often manifested as symptoms similar to panic attacks, including shaking, sweating, numbness, and dizziness.

They were also linked to three elements of grief – yearning, despair, or a disruption in clear thinking.

Grief attacks can happen at any moment. They might be triggered by something that reminds you of a loved one.

They often occur unexpectedly during quieter moments at home – Something about the loss just hits us and boom- the floodgates open.

Grief attacks can be particularly alarming if they pose a physical risk (like if someone has one while driving) or if they persist for too long, don’t lessen over time, or disrupt a person’s daily functioning.

Grief attacks can be tough and uncomfortable at the time, they usually pass quickly and can even have some positive effects.

If you’ve been holding back your grief over a loved one’s passing, a grief attack might force you to confront the reality that they are gone.

Additionally, if a grief attack brings back memories of a loved one, it could encourage you to think about different facets of that loss.

A grief attack is somewhat similar to managing a panic attack.

Grief attacks can be triggered by certain items, like a loved one’s belongings, it’s crucial to develop coping strategies that gradually expose us to those triggers, allowing their emotional weight to lessen.

Finding a new way to hold on is the goal rather than moving on.

We often need to discover ways to keep expressing our love for those who have passed, even in their absence.

Taking slow, deep breaths from the belly can be beneficial.

Repetitive physical actions, like stomping your feet, can also help.

Subscribe My Channel





Discover more from Connect2ConnectOnline

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading