Physiological Reactions Induced by Grief

Abstract

The increase in mortality reported in individuals undergoing the stress imposed by the grief situation, may be directly traced to the overstimulation of the pituitary resulting in the production of excess quantities of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which in turn causes increased levels of corticosteroids to be produced by the adrenal cortex. The physiologic affects of these substances include the suppression of the inflammatory response. Since the inflammatory response is essential to the immune mechanism of the individual, the bereaved becomes more susceptible to common bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens. Indeed, because of the suppression of this response, the grief-stricken person may fall prey to overwhelming infections which are caused by “opportunistic” micro-organisms. It seems possible that the stress imposed by grief may be at the basis for the increase in death rates of individuals who are bereaved.