Grief: What it Looks Like

Jennifer Weeks

Most people will experience grief in their lifetime. The response a person has to grief varies for the individual, with previous research identifying symptoms that are physical, cognitive, and emotional. This study aims to look at how grief effects people in different ways using their own language. A thematic analysis was conducted using a social media platform where people were openly discussing their experiences with grief. There were five major themes. 1) Physical: Experiencing the effects of grief in one’s body, such as “complete body aches.” 2) Non-Acceptance: Not having the ability to accept the loss, such as “didn’t want anything to change.” 3) Move/Hide: Wanting to relocate from a familiar place to a new one, such as “feeling lighter after moving.” 4) Searching: Looking for the deceased through different means, such as “fascination with cosmology and quantum physics.” 5) Emotional Struggle: Not being able to control negative emotions, such as “angry at everyone.” These themes, along with three subthemes, give an in-depth look into how people struggle and cope with grief after loss. With an improved understanding of grief, support can be tailored to each individual person’s needs.

• Jennifer Weeks is a senior human services major. After Lander, she plans to obtain a degree in Master’s of Marriage and Family Therapy (MMFT) and work with adolescents.