Physiology of Loss

Factual Questions
1

I’m curious about something and want to know if any research has been done on the topic.

Sometimes terrible and traumatic loss comes into our lives or the lives of the ones we love. Anyone who has survived it knows there is a period of aching pain that is, or seems to be, physically manifesting. More than that though, as time goes by, there is a period of walking through the days somewhat numb, going through the motions. It is a struggle to focus or concentrate, to see things through to completion. It’s a very physical sensation.

Is it a physical thing? Is there a specific physiology to what’s happening? Is it in your brain? Or your body?

Just curious.

2

This review appears to be a classic: Relationships as Regulators: A Psychobiologic Perspective on Bereavement (1984)
From Table 1:


Bereavement in the Human Adult 
Chronic: Background Disturbance, Lasting Weeks to Months

Behavior					Physiology

Social withdrawal 				Decreased body weight
Decreased concentration, attention 		Sleep disturbance
Restlessness, anxiety 				Muscular weakness
Decreased or variable food intake 		Cardiovascular changes
Postures and facial expressions of sadness 	Endociine changes
Illusions, hallucinations, Depressed mood 	Immunologic changes
3

And to the folks that wrote that review (not you, Squink), I respond: Yeah, thanks Captain Obvious. I recognize the effects of bereavement. But why?

The OP is a great question: is there something physically going on, or is it just mental?