Complicated Grief Often Leads to Cancer
There is much evidence to suggest that severe grief or complicated grief is a leading factor in the development of cancer. The grieving individual is at increased risk for physical and mental illness (depression) for approximately two years after a significant loss. However, in cases where grief is unresolved or 'complicated' - where the grief process has been arrested due to shock or denial - more serious illness like cancer can follow. Complicated grief increases levels of the stress hormone cortisol that weakens the immune system, depletes adrenaline reserves resulting in a breaking of the 'oxygen krebs cycle' within normal cells of the body, and causes the emotional reflex centre in the brain to slowly break down, resulting in the formation of cancer cells in corresponding organs. Finally, prolonged disturbed sleep, as a consequence of complicated grief, significantly decreases melatonin levels in the body that are important for inhibiting cancer cell growth.
There is much evidence to suggest that severe grief or complicated grief is a leading factor in the development of cancer. The grieving individual is at increased risk for physical and mental illness (depression) for approximately two years after a significant loss. However, in cases where grief is unresolved or 'complicated' - where the grief process has been arrested due to shock or denial - more serious illness like cancer can follow. Complicated grief increases levels of the stress hormone cortisol that weakens the immune system, depletes adrenaline reserves resulting in a breaking of the 'oxygen krebs cycle' within normal cells of the body, and causes the emotional reflex centre in the brain to slowly break down, resulting in the formation of cancer cells in corresponding organs. Finally, prolonged disturbed sleep, as a consequence of complicated grief, significantly decreases melatonin levels in the body that are important for inhibiting cancer cell growth.
World Research Links Cancer to Complicated Grief
1. Individuals who are extremely closely attached to one another are more likely to experience complicated grief and poor health following the death of a loved one. Sleep and appetite disturbances, alcohol dependence, heightened blood pressure, a greater risk of cardiac problems and an increase in cancer risk can accompany complicated grief. [Yale University - School of Medicine]
2. "Traumatic grief symptoms seldom diminish after the second half of the first year following loss. Symptoms may actually increase as time goes on. Subjects with traumatic grief are at increased risk of developing cancer and other illnesses. Should grief remain unresolved, this vulnerability becomes part of the individual’s nervous system, hardwired, so to speak, in the neurochemical substrate." [The National Psychologist - Newspaper for Psychologists]
3. In a landmark study the University of New South Wales studied the effects of bereavement on the immune system by following the lives of surviving spouses during mourning. "At eight weeks, T-cell functions were significantly lower in the bereaved spouses than in age and sex-matched controls." T-cells are important for fighting cancer cells in the body.
4. "The strong link between sleep and the immune system suggests that disrupted sleep following bereavement can indirectly affect health by suppressing the immune system. The relationship between bereavement and sleep has generated great interest among researchers as a factor in increased psychiatric and medical conditions and mortality (death)." [American Psychological Association]
5. "Grief impairs both the function of white blood cells processed in the thymus gland - and of natural killer (NK) cells which are responsible for attacking viruses and destroying tumour cells. Suppressed grief results in a weakening of the immune system by reducing the function of cells that defend against viral infections and tumours and which helps keep the body healthy. [University of Miami School of Medicine]
6. "Left untreated, complicated grief is associated with negative health outcomes, which may include clinical depression, suicidal thoughts or actions, substance abuse, cancer and cardiovascular illness. [University of Pittsburgh - School of Medicine]
7. A new study has found that learned helplessness, a key component of complicated grief, is a strong developmental factor of cancer. Researcher Madelon Visintainer took three groups of rats, one receiving mild escapable shock, another group receiving mild in-escapable shock, and the third no shock at all. She then implanted each rat with cancer cells that would normally result in 50% of the rats developing a tumour. Her results were astonishing: Within a month, 50% of the rats not shocked at all had rejected the tumour; this was the normal ratio. As for the rats that mastered shock by pressing a bar to turn it off, 70% had rejected the tumour. But only 27% of the helpless rats, the rats that had experienced in-escapable shock, rejected the tumour. This study demonstrates those who feel there is no way out of their shock / loss are less likely to be able to reject tumours forming within their body, due to high levels of stress weakening the immune system. [Seligman, 1998, p.170]
1. Individuals who are extremely closely attached to one another are more likely to experience complicated grief and poor health following the death of a loved one. Sleep and appetite disturbances, alcohol dependence, heightened blood pressure, a greater risk of cardiac problems and an increase in cancer risk can accompany complicated grief. [Yale University - School of Medicine]
2. "Traumatic grief symptoms seldom diminish after the second half of the first year following loss. Symptoms may actually increase as time goes on. Subjects with traumatic grief are at increased risk of developing cancer and other illnesses. Should grief remain unresolved, this vulnerability becomes part of the individual’s nervous system, hardwired, so to speak, in the neurochemical substrate." [The National Psychologist - Newspaper for Psychologists]
3. In a landmark study the University of New South Wales studied the effects of bereavement on the immune system by following the lives of surviving spouses during mourning. "At eight weeks, T-cell functions were significantly lower in the bereaved spouses than in age and sex-matched controls." T-cells are important for fighting cancer cells in the body.
4. "The strong link between sleep and the immune system suggests that disrupted sleep following bereavement can indirectly affect health by suppressing the immune system. The relationship between bereavement and sleep has generated great interest among researchers as a factor in increased psychiatric and medical conditions and mortality (death)." [American Psychological Association]
5. "Grief impairs both the function of white blood cells processed in the thymus gland - and of natural killer (NK) cells which are responsible for attacking viruses and destroying tumour cells. Suppressed grief results in a weakening of the immune system by reducing the function of cells that defend against viral infections and tumours and which helps keep the body healthy. [University of Miami School of Medicine]
6. "Left untreated, complicated grief is associated with negative health outcomes, which may include clinical depression, suicidal thoughts or actions, substance abuse, cancer and cardiovascular illness. [University of Pittsburgh - School of Medicine]
7. A new study has found that learned helplessness, a key component of complicated grief, is a strong developmental factor of cancer. Researcher Madelon Visintainer took three groups of rats, one receiving mild escapable shock, another group receiving mild in-escapable shock, and the third no shock at all. She then implanted each rat with cancer cells that would normally result in 50% of the rats developing a tumour. Her results were astonishing: Within a month, 50% of the rats not shocked at all had rejected the tumour; this was the normal ratio. As for the rats that mastered shock by pressing a bar to turn it off, 70% had rejected the tumour. But only 27% of the helpless rats, the rats that had experienced in-escapable shock, rejected the tumour. This study demonstrates those who feel there is no way out of their shock / loss are less likely to be able to reject tumours forming within their body, due to high levels of stress weakening the immune system. [Seligman, 1998, p.170]
Tools to Overcome Complicated Grief
Tools such as EFT, the Mind-Body Self Hypnosis Cancer CD and the Cancer Healing Guide are each used to overcome extreme emotional grief or 'complicated grief' that has weakened the immune system and enabled cancer to develop. Complicated grief arises when we associate our very existence with another's existence or with the thing we have lost. And when that person passes or moves on, or we lose that thing (which inevitably happens) we cannot imagine our life without that person or thing and we become a shadow of our former self, leading to the Cancer Death Wish. It is important to heal the pain of the loss, and re-create a new life understanding everything in our lives is only ever temporary.
Tools such as EFT, the Mind-Body Self Hypnosis Cancer CD and the Cancer Healing Guide are each used to overcome extreme emotional grief or 'complicated grief' that has weakened the immune system and enabled cancer to develop. Complicated grief arises when we associate our very existence with another's existence or with the thing we have lost. And when that person passes or moves on, or we lose that thing (which inevitably happens) we cannot imagine our life without that person or thing and we become a shadow of our former self, leading to the Cancer Death Wish. It is important to heal the pain of the loss, and re-create a new life understanding everything in our lives is only ever temporary.
