Grief is an experience not an emotion

Is grief just another emotion? I would argue that grief is not an emotion at all; it is an experience.

Just a few weeks ago I wrote: “Grief is an emotion that is universally experienced. “

I need to correct that and write: grief is an experience that encompasses emotions.

Emotions are mental reactions experienced as strong feelings. These strong feelings may be expressed as physiological and behavioral changes in the body. The most common emotional states are: happy, sad, angry, surprised, fearful, shame, admiration, adoration, amusement, satisfaction, anxious, relief, awe, boredom, calm, nostalgia, confusion, interest, excitement, horror, joy.

With the stages of grief, many, if not all, of these emotions will be experienced. Because most people think of sadness as grief, grief is labeled as an emotion. But it is so much more than sadness. It begins as a period in time that has a definite starting point without an end. It may be universal but it is certainly unique to each person.

Let’s take a funeral for example (since grief is so often linked to death). There will be periods of sadness when talking about the loss, periods of happiness and joy when talking about the loved one’s life and special moments, there will be laughter and tears. Some funerals are times of closure and relief for those that have watched someone suffer.

Grief is a chronic condition with acute flare-ups of emotions.