Hi Lis,
I'm sorry for the confusion and the removal of my response to you. It was very detailed and after I modified it down to where it would help to clear up any misconceptions regarding my previous post on Grief Brain, I ended up with, "Hi Lis"... so I just removed the salutation!
Basically, people diagnosed with depression may have abnormal levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. These levels change when a life altering event takes place and specifically, a death of one close to us. Doctors prescribe medication but I'm reading lately that repeated blood work, around every 3 to 4 months is not being performed. These chemicals can change rapidly and cause undesirable effects on our behavior.
I mentioned it in a previous post as I just had my third MRI of the brain. The first was one year before Jeff died and after my car accident; the second was one year after Jeff died and the third was on June 4th of this year. Of course they compare the MRI's. Some of the changes in my brain are due to normal aging and not a big deal. Other changes are scar tissue from my accident which has worsened, but again, not a big deal. After a consultation with my neurologist it was explained that the pleasure and the fight or flight cross sections of my brain were *lazy.* The reason I have to work very hard at self-motivating. I do not take any medication so that is not even a factor.
What originally brought me to a visit with my neurologist was two things; one was my vision which has been getting progressively worse and the other was concern for my motivation levels.
My homework, in a way is to laugh more and however I choose to do that is OK. This will increase certain chemicals in my brain as will more exercise. And, both will make me feel good!! Also, music that I love and first thing in the morning it should start playing. Music from the happiest times in my life. Well, that's an easy one as I listen to music everyday and I wake up to it.This is an excerpt taken from: Physical Stress of Grieving
By Elizabeth Harper Neeld, Ph.D.
Grieving is hard work and takes a huge toll on our bodies. When we are responding to a loss, the part of our brain where responses are integrated increases the production of CRH, a hormone that produces anxiety-like symptoms. Emergency-mobilizing chemicals are released. As our stress increases, the chemical levels increase; and our central nervous system becomes highly stimulated. Our breathing may become defective. Biological rhythms of sleeping and eating are disturbed. Our digestion, metabolism, circulation and respiration change. Our ability to concentrate and pay attention decreases.
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To conclude, grieving the death of a loved one can cause us to become very sick. I don't know of one Mom who hasn't said, "If I knew then what I know now then I would have taken better care of myself."
I agree. I love my life and want to live it to the fullest. Sure, the pain can be overwhelming at times, especially around dates but I've learned that I can *put my grief away* and take it back out again. I have the power to do that. It takes practice (and it's not perfect) and a strong will to survive.
You're right, Lis that we all have grief brain. You're managing your anxiety but what's even more important is you know where it's coming from.
Without getting more in depth regarding the chemicals in our brain, I hope that helped a little to understand that our brain, which is our body's mother board controls it all. And, when one chemical is over working by being released too quickly and another is not being produced quickly enough....then we can be in for a crash.
Especially now, living one beautiful moment at a time!
Hugs, Lisa gal!