Grief is the mourning or the loss of something. I know everyone will have to know it and with a higher depression rate than ever in the US it's getting harder for people to deal with grief. Grief is not planned grief is a surprise that takes away what you care about most. Grieving is the act or portraying one's grief over the loss of someone or something.
There are healthy ways to grieve such as exercise, music, or becoming closer with friends. But I also wanted to explore the unhealthy ways people grieve such as cutting, drugs, alcohol, etc. I want to portray how to deal with grief and how to recognize when you are dealing with grief incorrectly. I would also hope to hear some peoples stories and give specific examples to make it easier to relate to my project.
During great times of grief some people can experience PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), Depression, Memory Loss, Decreased immunity, Irregular heartbeat. During times of grief your brain goes into overdrive constantly seeking out tasks to fulfill or match your energy. Neurons all across your brain corresponding with mood, memory, perception, etc. After the grief lessons this is why you might get very sick or have other major health problems. Grieving never goes away fully because it lights up neurons that affect memory. The connection is so strong that it is engraved in your mind forever. Getting fully over the grieving process is possible but truly forgetting isn't. This is because the parts of your brain associated with grief are also associated with memory.
Denial- Denying that the bad thing is true or real. Maybe even denying that it happened or ever could happen. Making up fake or false scenarios in which you are being deceived.
Anger- This can be with others or described as self loathing anger. The constant bad temperament of one person.
Bargaining- Begging or pleading trying to find anyway to reverse what is causing the grief.
Depression- A time of deep sadness in which life never seems to have a good aspect to it. A low in emotion, physical, mental health.
Acceptance- This is the final stage where you realize nothing can be done to change what has happened. This is where many people learn to move on, but also many cannot complete this step ever.
The most unhealthy way people deal with grief is drugs. Drugs, alcohol, and caffeine substances can damage your body and mind. These are used so people can shift thoughts or completely forget about the negative emotions grief can bring. People often turn to depressants such as alcohol or Xanax. While many turn to depressants, some turn to stimulants such as cocaine, molly, ecstasy, marijuana, etc. Substances that allow a high or a change of mindset appeals to peoples grieving because it allows them to be in a different head space. They turn to these substances to stop or halt the process of grief, potentially to hold on a little longer. Many people also look at substances as an escape in which they believe they can look at grief in a new light. These substances put a hold on your mind dealing with problems. A high can block out negative emotions while flooding your brain with dopamine. Substances make it so your brain can't properly function slowing the process of grieving. This is alarming but potentially the most frightening part is the issues that come from substance use. Guilt and shame accompany substances and can make it even harder when the usage is stopped to overcome grief. Grieving connects to your long term memory making it so we don't forget the person or thing we are grieving. Adding substances to this process can halt or hurt your personal progress. This could potentially wire a connection to substances in times of sadness which could lead to addiction in the future.
“The darker the night, the brighter the stars. The deeper the grief, the closer to God!” - Dostoyevsky. The thing commonly forgotten about grief is the positives aspects of grief and with so much negative this was one of the largest aspects of my research. Grief while being painful allows for personal and spiritual growth. Nearly 5% of children in the United States have lost one if not both of their parents. Grief affects everyone and on average every person who dies leaves behind 5 griever's (The Recovery Village). With so many affected what are positive alternatives? Healthy eating brings you joy which is always a great substitute. Along with this, a common question is what substances can help you to feel happier or possibly make grieving easier. While there is no good answer, the best thing you can put in your body is healthy foods, water, and vitamins. Healthy eating boosts everything from mood to energy. There is no golden pill, but truly God can help you through your time of need better than any earthly person can. This is shown in “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). This shows Gods understanding and empathy towards those who grieve.
The most important research I could have discovered is the fact that everyone grieves and you are not alone. The media, society, friends, and family, constantly shame those who open up through their emotions. This does not mean you are alone. Be proud of how life shapes who you become and believe me, it will end.
There are healthy ways to grieve such as exercise, music, or becoming closer with friends. But I also wanted to explore the unhealthy ways people grieve such as cutting, drugs, alcohol, etc. I want to portray how to deal with grief and how to recognize when you are dealing with grief incorrectly. I would also hope to hear some peoples stories and give specific examples to make it easier to relate to my project.
During great times of grief some people can experience PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), Depression, Memory Loss, Decreased immunity, Irregular heartbeat. During times of grief your brain goes into overdrive constantly seeking out tasks to fulfill or match your energy. Neurons all across your brain corresponding with mood, memory, perception, etc. After the grief lessons this is why you might get very sick or have other major health problems. Grieving never goes away fully because it lights up neurons that affect memory. The connection is so strong that it is engraved in your mind forever. Getting fully over the grieving process is possible but truly forgetting isn't. This is because the parts of your brain associated with grief are also associated with memory.
Denial- Denying that the bad thing is true or real. Maybe even denying that it happened or ever could happen. Making up fake or false scenarios in which you are being deceived.
Anger- This can be with others or described as self loathing anger. The constant bad temperament of one person.
Bargaining- Begging or pleading trying to find anyway to reverse what is causing the grief.
Depression- A time of deep sadness in which life never seems to have a good aspect to it. A low in emotion, physical, mental health.
Acceptance- This is the final stage where you realize nothing can be done to change what has happened. This is where many people learn to move on, but also many cannot complete this step ever.
The most unhealthy way people deal with grief is drugs. Drugs, alcohol, and caffeine substances can damage your body and mind. These are used so people can shift thoughts or completely forget about the negative emotions grief can bring. People often turn to depressants such as alcohol or Xanax. While many turn to depressants, some turn to stimulants such as cocaine, molly, ecstasy, marijuana, etc. Substances that allow a high or a change of mindset appeals to peoples grieving because it allows them to be in a different head space. They turn to these substances to stop or halt the process of grief, potentially to hold on a little longer. Many people also look at substances as an escape in which they believe they can look at grief in a new light. These substances put a hold on your mind dealing with problems. A high can block out negative emotions while flooding your brain with dopamine. Substances make it so your brain can't properly function slowing the process of grieving. This is alarming but potentially the most frightening part is the issues that come from substance use. Guilt and shame accompany substances and can make it even harder when the usage is stopped to overcome grief. Grieving connects to your long term memory making it so we don't forget the person or thing we are grieving. Adding substances to this process can halt or hurt your personal progress. This could potentially wire a connection to substances in times of sadness which could lead to addiction in the future.
“The darker the night, the brighter the stars. The deeper the grief, the closer to God!” - Dostoyevsky. The thing commonly forgotten about grief is the positives aspects of grief and with so much negative this was one of the largest aspects of my research. Grief while being painful allows for personal and spiritual growth. Nearly 5% of children in the United States have lost one if not both of their parents. Grief affects everyone and on average every person who dies leaves behind 5 griever's (The Recovery Village). With so many affected what are positive alternatives? Healthy eating brings you joy which is always a great substitute. Along with this, a common question is what substances can help you to feel happier or possibly make grieving easier. While there is no good answer, the best thing you can put in your body is healthy foods, water, and vitamins. Healthy eating boosts everything from mood to energy. There is no golden pill, but truly God can help you through your time of need better than any earthly person can. This is shown in “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). This shows Gods understanding and empathy towards those who grieve.
The most important research I could have discovered is the fact that everyone grieves and you are not alone. The media, society, friends, and family, constantly shame those who open up through their emotions. This does not mean you are alone. Be proud of how life shapes who you become and believe me, it will end.