The Physiology of Mourning
Death is a shock and affects the body as would any physical trauma: sleep patterns are disturbed, pains and aches ensue, there can be changes in blood pressure, onset of allergies, and many diverse physical effects of this shock. Some have compared these symptoms to those of PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder. This syndrome was first diagnosed in soldiers who had faced the violence of war, and some of its symptoms are nightmares, hallucinations, inability to focus, bouts of inexplicable anger, and depression.
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The mind-body connection seems obvious when we talk of soldiers—understandable when one returns from a war. Losing a spouse, after sudden death or after a period of illness, makes you a veteran as well. You have seen horrible scenes, watched heart rending battles and witnessed the end: the funeral, the burial. Your body has been shaken and invaded from what you have endured. These physiological effects may last for years, and it is important for you (and your doctor as well) to understand their source.
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