by Megan Grant, LICSW | March 10, 2026
Introduction
Grief and loss are well-known human experiences, yet they are often misunderstood. In many cultures, grief is treated as something that should be quickly resolved so individuals can return to their “normal” lives. People may feel pressure to move on, stop talking about their loss, and appear emotionally recovered.
In reality, grief is a natural psychological response to losing someone or something meaningful. Understanding grief and loss helps normalize these experiences and allows individuals to process them in healthier ways. In this article, we will explore the definition of grief, the types of life events that can cause grief, and the emotional and physical symptoms that often accompany the grieving process.
What Is Grief?
Grief is commonly defined as the emotional suffering that occurs when something or someone important is lost. Webster’s dictionary defines grief as “a deep and poignant distress caused by or as if by bereavement,” as well as “a cause of such suffering.”
To understand this definition further, it is helpful to examine the concept of bereavement, which refers to the state of being deprived of someone or something significant. Another related word, bereft, means to be deprived or robbed. These definitions highlight an important aspect of grief and loss: the feeling that something meaningful has been taken away.
While grief is most often associated with death, the experience of loss can occur in many different forms throughout life.
Types of Loss That Can Cause Grief
When people think about grief and loss, they often think of the death of a loved one. However, many life transitions and experiences can trigger grief because they involve losing something meaningful.
The Holmes-Rahe Life Stress Inventory identifies several major life changes that may lead to significant emotional stress and grief. These include events such as divorce, marital separation, imprisonment, serious illness or injury, job loss, retirement, pregnancy, pregnancy loss, and sexual difficulties.
Although the inventory has limitations, research has shown a correlation between major life changes and increased risk of illness and emotional distress (Gerst et al., 1978). These findings highlight how powerful the experience of grief and loss can be for both mental and physical health.
Ultimately, grief can arise from any situation that creates the feeling of being deprived of something important—whether it is a relationship, a role, a future expectation, or a sense of stability.
Symptoms of Grief
Grief often includes feelings of sadness, but it can involve many other emotional and physical symptoms as well. For some individuals, grief may begin to resemble symptoms of major depression.
Common emotional and psychological symptoms of grief include:
sadness
isolation or withdrawal
loss of interest or pleasure
decreased motivation
sleep disturbances (insomnia or hypersomnia)
changes in appetite
irritability or anger
increased anxiety and worry
tearfulness
Grief and loss can also manifest physically. Some individuals experience headaches, body aches, fatigue, lowered immune system functioning, or increased susceptibility to illness.
Because grief can be painful and disruptive, individuals and even society sometimes attempt to avoid it. However, avoiding grief does not eliminate it. Unprocessed grief can resurface later and continue to affect emotional well-being.
Why Grieving Is Important
Although grief can feel overwhelming, it plays an important role in emotional healing. Grieving allows individuals to process loss and gradually integrate the experience into their lives.
Psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and David Kessler describe grief as a process that helps individuals reconnect with life after loss. When grief is acknowledged and processed, individuals are better able to restore a sense of emotional wholeness.
When grief is ignored or suppressed, unresolved pain may resurface later in unexpected ways. Past losses can accumulate, making emotional healing more difficult over time. Addressing grief directly helps prevent these unresolved experiences from continuing to affect mental health.
Support for Grief and Loss
For individuals experiencing grief and loss who feel overwhelmed by the emotional impact, working with a therapist can provide support and guidance during the healing process. At Therapy Evolved, we work with adults across Massachusetts through secure telehealth therapy to help individuals process grief, loss, and major life transitions.
Closing Thoughts
Grief and loss are unavoidable parts of the human experience. At some point in life, everyone will encounter situations that bring feelings of sadness, deprivation, or emotional pain.
Because grief can be uncomfortable to discuss, it is often avoided. However, increasing awareness and open conversation about grief can help normalize the experience and reduce the stigma surrounding it.
By understanding grief and loss more clearly, individuals may feel more prepared to face these experiences and seek support when needed. Acknowledging grief is not a sign of weakness—it is part of the process of healing and moving forward.
Common Questions About Grief and Loss
What is grief?
Grief is the emotional response to losing someone or something important. It often includes sadness, anxiety, anger, and physical symptoms as individuals process the loss.
Can grief affect physical health?
Yes. Grief can affect both emotional and physical health. People experiencing grief may notice fatigue, headaches, body aches, sleep problems, or changes in appetite.
How long does grief last?
There is no fixed timeline for grief. The grieving process varies depending on the individual, the type of loss experienced, and the support systems available.
When should someone seek therapy for grief?
Therapy may be helpful when grief becomes overwhelming, interferes with daily functioning, or leads to persistent symptoms such as depression, anxiety, or isolation.
SOURCES
Gerst, M. S., Grant, I., Yager, J., & Sweetwood, H. (1978). The reliability of the social readjustment rating scale: Moderate and long-term stability. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 22(6), 519–523.
The American Institute of Stress. Holmes-Rahe Stress Inventory.
https://www.stress.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/stress-inventory-1.pdf
Kübler-Ross, E., & Kessler, D. (2014). On Grief and Grieving: Finding the Meaning of Grief Through the Five Stages of Loss