Home » Grief-Induced Social Anxiety and Ways to Overcome It

Grief-Induced Social Anxiety and Ways to Overcome It

By  //  May 27, 2023

The funny thing about grief is that no one ever feels like they’re doing it the right way,” said therapist Claire Bidwell Smith, the author of the book “Anxiety: The Missing Stage of Grief.” “But there is no right way,” she admitted. The only “wrong” way to do it is not to do it at all. 

Grief-induced anxiety is an ignored symptom of grief. However, anxiety after you lose your loved one, is quite real as a feeling of insecurity and unknown is instilled in you. You can feel lost and stuck, which is precisely what anxiety feels like—a feeling of uneasiness and nervousness as you are uncertain about the outcome. 

When things change with time, and you realize that life is out of your control, you panic. The loss of your close one acts as a reminder of the uncertain life. Grief can hold you from your throat, making you feel uneasy, and you will not realize its cause until you are broken. Anxiety feeds on this. 

Grief-induced anxiety doesn’t display itself openly. So it is difficult to identify if you or someone you know is suffering from it. Consider taking the help of a therapist for anxiety if you find it challenging to handle it on your own. 

Physical Symptoms Of Grief Induced Anxiety:

  1. Sweating- A new problem of sweating can often be ignored. Sweating hands and cold feet are symptoms of anxiety. If this happens to you after the loss of your loved one, it is grief-induced anxiety. 
  2. Low Energy-Low energy is often observed in grieving individuals. Feeling tired or not in the mood to do some activity while going through grief is natural. However, feeling the same after months of losing a loved one is a concern. 
  3. Increase Or Decrease In Appetite- We often skip our meals if we are sad or angry or tend to overeat under stress. Grief makes a place in your heart, and the absence of your loved one can affect your daily routine. Simple rituals like Eating, Bathing, and Sleeping can feel overwhelming. However, feeling the same way for days altogether is a symptom of anxiety. 
  4. Heavy feeling on your chest- The moment before breaking down as you are resisting crying feels like a burden on your chest. The sudden increase in heart palpitations and the constant feeling of heaviness in your chest are signs of grief-induced anxiety.
  5. Fear Of Sleeping Or Sleeping Difficulty- Sleep is the most affected while suffering through anxiety. Our mind activates the fear responders to cope with stressful situations; therefore, sleeping can be difficult. Heightened insomnia can lead to fatigue. 

Ways To Overcome Grief-Induced Anxiety 

  1. Talking therapy- Talking to a friend, family member, or therapist can help reduce the burden on your heart and relieve you. You can also search for professional grief counseling in Los Angeles to get more help.
  2. Noting your thoughts down- Sometimes, we can feel angry towards the person who died as they left us to live this life without them. Journaling your thoughts helps you healthily deal with your feelings.
  3. Practicing Mindfulness-Controlling your thoughts is not easy, but being reflective instead of reactive can help you deal with anxiety. Being aware of your feelings, sensations, and experience enables you to reduce grief-induced anxiety.
  4. Square Breathing- It might seem like a basic technique, but a breathing pause helps you handle anxious thoughts. Square breathing is a technique in which you inhale 4 times, pause for 4 seconds, and exhale 4 times. 
  5. Embrace Healing-Healing can feel like letting go of your loved one or their dear memories. However, healing helps you to remember them and cherish them. It facilitates you to get over the sad part of the loss and relish their sweet memories.

When Should You Ask For Help? :

When you feel that you have tried to analyze and get over your anxiety, but you cannot do so on your own, you ask for help. There are special therapists for grief and therapists for anxiety to help you overcome anxiety. 

Grief-induced anxiety is treatable, and know that there are professionals to help you overcome your anxiety. If someone you know needs help, book a session for them. 

Summary: 

It is definitely not easy to move on from grief and the anxiety that follows it, but it is not impossible. Staying in this feeling can be dreadful. Above tips can help you identify grief-induced anxiety and overcome it effectively. Seeking professional help can facilitate your healing and can help you be better.