Good Life Project The Grieving Body: What Really Happens When You Lose Someone | Mary-Frances O'Connor
May 19, 2025
Mary-Frances O'Connor, PhD, a psychology professor and author, dives into the compelling link between grief and physical health. She highlights how grief manifests in the body and the importance of nurturing oneself during loss. O'Connor discusses the differences between transient grief and prolonged grief disorder, as well as the risks associated with grief on health. With a focus on community support and self-compassion, she encourages embracing emotions and finding joy even in sorrow, transforming loss into an opportunity for healing.
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Grief's Wave-Like Pattern
- Grief is experienced as waves that fluctuate but generally lessen in intensity over time.
- A key milestone is one year post-loss, distinguishing normal grief from prolonged grief disorder.
Grief Raises Heart Attack Risk
- Losing a loved one raises the risk of heart attack dramatically, especially in the first 24 hours.
- Grief triggers potent physiological changes demanding more medical recognition and support.
Personal Grief Meets Chronic Illness
- Mary-Frances was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis after her mother's death but clarifies grief didn’t cause it.
- Her experience taught her to accept new realities and live authentically with loss and illness.
