Is it Normal?

I found myself googling this over and over again after my dad died. And what I learned through what I found online and through many conversations with my therapist is that is is, indeed, normal. My friend, let me put your mind at ease. Grief does a lot of really wack things to the body. So, in case you're worried about some of the strange things going on let me assure you that the following things are normal during grief.

palpitations

night sweats

difficulty swallowing

panic attacks

urinary incontinence

forgetfulness

brain fog

sleepiness

fatigue

digestive issues

headaches

hair loss

bladder spasms

pressure on the chest (please, see a doctor if the pressure is intense)*

shortness of breath

insomnia

bad dreams

hallucinations

increased susceptibility to illness

dizziness

nausea

muscle aches

That's a lot, isn't it? Notice that I didn't even mention the emotional effects. Grief is a very physical process. It affects our bodies as much as it does our mind and emotions. Somatic work can help the body process the grief. *Please see a doctor if any symptoms are worrisome or distressing. Grief can lead to physical illnesses that need medical attention. Rarely, intense stress can cause a condition called takotsubo cardiomyopathy. The symptoms include: chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, cold sweats, and lightheadedness, This requires medical treatment, so seek immediate care if you have these symptoms.

We're in this together. I'm here for you. All my love, Kay