Big Brains Can You Really Die of a Broken Heart? The Hidden Dangers of Grief, with Mary Frances O'Connor
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Apr 3, 2025 
Mary Frances O'Connor, a Professor of Psychology at the University of Arizona, offers compelling insights into how grief affects both the mind and body. She discusses the startling link between profound loss and serious health risks, including heart attacks and immune system issues. O'Connor argues for a shift in how society and healthcare view grief, advocating for grief as a medical concern that requires careful attention. Drawing from personal experience, she highlights the need for better support systems and coping strategies for those navigating the complex terrain of loss.
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Grief's Physiological Impact
- Grief is often associated with sadness, but it's a physiological response.
- People describe grief in physical terms like "broken heart" or "pangs of grief."
O'Connor's Personal Grief Experience
- Mary Frances O'Connor's MS symptoms emerged after her mother's death and during her grief.
- She acknowledges a family history of MS, but highlights grief as a stressful trigger.
Grief and Increased Health Risks
- Grief increases morbidity and mortality risks, including pneumonia, COPD, and colon cancer.
- This "all-cause" impact shows grief's wide-ranging effects on the body.
