This paper is the product of my personal quest to identify what grief is, learn about the typical processes of grief, employ techniques for coping with grief, and explore some of the healing rituals of grief practiced in our rapidly changing society. However feelings of worthlessness and inability to function in society for an extended period of time could mean that bereavement has developed into depression. It is common to experience some symptoms of depression from time to time, but these feelings should not be constant. This is very different from the occasional feelings of sadness that are normally associated with bereavement. People who are not depressed are able to cope with their sadness without losing their ability to function.
Depression is the result of an alteration in the brain chemistry.
Illness, stress, frustration, or grief are common causes of this alteration. Grief makes us susceptible to diseases such as the common cold, sore throats and other infections. Other diseases shown to be connected to the stress of grief are ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, heart disease and cancer. Grief is an emotional experience and has a direct effect on our bodies. An alarm reaction begins immediately during the first stage of grief which causes a chemical reaction in the body.