TABLE 1Adult Grief Responses (Human Studies)

BehaviorPhysiology
Acute episodes: waves of distress, lasting minutes
AgitationTears
CryingSighing respiration
Aimless activity-inactivityMuscular weakness
Preoccupation with image of deceased
Chronic background disturbance: lasting weeks to months
Social withdrawalDecreased or increased body weight
Decreased concentrationSleep disturbance
Decreased attentionMuscular weakness
Restlessness, anxietyCardiovascular changes
Decreased or increased food intakeEndocrine changes
Postures and facial expressions of sadnessImmunologic changes
Illusions or hallucinations
Depressed mood

From: CHAPTER 6, Toward a Biology of Grieving

Cover of Bereavement
Bereavement: Reactions, Consequences, and Care.
Institute of Medicine (US) Committee for the Study of Health Consequences of the Stress of Bereavement; Osterweis M, Solomon F, Green M, editors.
Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 1984.
Copyright © 1984 by the National Academy of Sciences.

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