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Does being bereaved increase your risk for illness?
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The question above is what Australian researchers were recently trying to find out. The researchers found “increases in anxiety and depression, poor sleep and loss of appetite” (Porter, 2009) when bereaved were compared to a control group. This seemed most pronounced when it had been six months or less after the person researched had lost a loved one (O'Shaughnessy, 2009).
The same study had findings that bereaved are “six times more likely to suffer cardiac arrest” than their respective control group (Lee, 2009). The findings specifically mentioned that they dealt with grief and not other types of loss since death has more finality than other losses. The thought is that this study by the University of Sydney Medical School would open people up to the idea that grief is not simply a short-term emotional condition that has no physiological consequences, but that there is now new scientific evidence that grief can have physiological symptoms that can result in serious illness or death (Lee, 2009)!
So does this mean that if you have lost a loved one that you are at heightened risk for illness or death afterwards?
As with every important matter—it depends.
The hopes of the study were to put more emphasis on the griever as someone at risk, point out potential risk factors for the bereaved and help them in maintaining health after the death of the loved one (O'Shaughnessy, 2009).
The study focused on cardiovascular disease; however, it makes sense that a bereaved person maintaining health would help reduce their risk for other diseases. The moral of the story: if you are bereaved, make sure to recognize that your health might be at risk, especially after the first six months of the loss.
Do the common sense stress-relieving activities such as eating well; exercising; finding support through friendships, a grief group or counselor; and take time out to process, pray and work through your loss. If you suspect that you have a serious health problem, seek out a professional medical opinion as soon as possible.
Local Solutions: Eat well by buying local and organic foods, preferably eating more fruits and vegetables. Great places to go for groceries are PCC as well as local, neighborhood Farmer’s Markets as long as they continue in the season. Exercise by getting out on one of the many trail systems locally on foot or bike such as the Burke-Gilman Trail, the Sammamish River Trail, Interurban Trail or Snohomish County’s Centennial Trail. Find others who have gone through a loss by connecting at a local grief group, such as Providence’s grief groups. You owe it to yourself during this time of loss to make healthy choices for the first time or as a continued effort in order to maintain physical health while you go through a tumultuous emotional time.
References
Lee, K. (2009, September 21). You really can die of a broken heart. Retrieved September 21, 2009, from Cosmos Magazine: http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/news/3019/you-really-can-die-a-broken-heart
O'Shaughnessy, J. (2009, September 16). Study shows link between bereavement and heart attack. Retrieved September 21, 2009, from University of Sydney: http://www.usyd.edu.au/news/84.html?newsstoryid=3859
Porter, M. (2009, September 21). Why a broken heart really can kill you. Retrieved September 21, 2009, from Times Online: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/expert_advice/article6840078.ece
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