Sadness Affects The Brain And Body, Here's The Explanation According To Psychology

Illustration of sadness affects the brain and body according to psychology (Freepik/pikisuperstar)

YOGYAKARTA Sadness or emotional pain does not only affect mental health, but also the body and mind. Sadness is a complex feeling. On the one hand it feels hurt but on the other hand this is a natural feeling and plays a role in the healing process that helps us to be sincere and release trauma over loss.

Sadness is associated with a marked change in brain activity that can be detected through neural imaging. This change can be seen in various areas of the brain related to various aspects of the experience of mourning. When hearing words, for example, especially those related to loss, there will be an increase in activity in amygdala. This is a brain area associated with negative emotions and fear. Launching Positive Psychology, Wednesday, March 5, this area reacts similarly to someone who is experiencing clinical depression.

Research shows that sadness recovery is slower in a person who is grieving and has higher activity on the nucleus of the acumbence. This is a brain region linked to the pursuit of desire, which may reflect continued activity in search of what is missing.

Sadness also has a long-term effect. A person who is sad is kept for a long time, showing a greater cognitive decline. This is an early indicator of neurodegenerative conditions that can be serious, such as Alzheimer's disease.

Not only is the brain having an impact on sadness. The body also experiences changes. Feelings of sadness, or heartbreak, may be subjective. This phenomenon, according to scientific studies, refers to an increased risk of death after the loss of a loved one. Especially the risk of death from cardiovascular disease.

In a large-scale survey of widowers, the risk ofappropriation heart disease is twice as high in the six months after they lose. Other studies show an increased risk of heart disease can be more significant than the risk of smoking. So, physical stress associated with heartbreak must be understood theoretically. That sadness is physically stressful.

For a person, sadness can be so complicated. Because in persistence to recover, sadness can be felt again as a process of releasing. In a healthy process, it is important to really go through sadness. Some people may find it difficult, there are also those that are easy in the process through sadness. If the grieving process resembles a declining gradient, contrary to the U-shaped curve, it will prolong the duration of the mourning experience. This can be chronic and not good for mental health.

If you experience complicated sadness, it is important to consult with a clinical approach. Because those who experience it need professional intervention to avoid deeper trauma.