The Grieving Brain

What does it mean to grieve? Is it strictly emotional or is there more to grief than just feelings? University of Arizona neuroscientist and psychologist Mary-Frances O’Connor explores the science behind this devastating loss and shares the effects of grief on the brain.

Producer: Nina Shelton
Videographer/Editor: Nathan Huffman

[emsuarez]

When my son died suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 27, I wanted to die just so I could be with him. The mere thought of living was unthinkable and I could not think of anything or anyone else. I came very close to leaving this world but I’m still here. Fast forward two years later I began my search to try and understand what happens when we die, what grief is and why or how can I find a better understanding of death. I needed to know because whatever I find I thought would give me answers to where my son went once he stopped breathing. I found a YouTube video with Mary Francis O’Connor talking about the brain and why we think or feel the way we do when someone we love does. The first year I remember thinking, Joe’s going to come home . He probably just needed time to get away and figure shit out but he’s coming back. Or, maybe it was a mistake and they identified the wrong guy. I’ve come to learn from listening to Mary Francis O’Connor all those thoughts are normal. I’m not crazy. I feel as though my brain protected me in some way; even though Im still deep in grief (which I’ve come to learn is actually complicated grief) at least I have a bit of understanding why I think how I do. It’s going to be a while before I can truly accept Joe is gone, writing that just now still takes my breath away. Thank you Mary Francis O’Connor for sharing your personal experience in loss/grief and taking the steps forward to help others like me understand why grief does what it does to our mind. My sons death has changed me, I’m not sure what it is yet but I know at some point I’m going to grow thru this grieving and it’s because of you Mary Francis O’Connor . Thank you for changing my life as I continue to step forward in my loss/grief from the death of my beautiful son, Joe. I miss his life so much, I understand a little bit better now how my brain processes this sudden end of Joes life.

[leeberingsmith]

I lost my wife to cancer almost 2 years ago. Her book was a great help to me to understand and deal with my grief.

[supportivecaregivers]

This is great! Thank you so much for the work you are doing! May I share this with my clients (therapy & consulting)? Thank you!

[Gina]

Sorry but what a lot of BS. So you lost your mom, who won't? Maybe you lost your dog too.
But unless you have lost a child, you will never ever know a single thing about grieving. Even with your neuroscanner. You will need to be a bereaved mother. Until then, you will be totally clueless about the reality of grief.