griefstricken

Griefstricken is an adjective used to describe someone overwhelmed by intense grief, typically after the death or loss of a loved one or other significant life change. It conveys a state of profound sorrow, yearning, disbelief, anger, or guilt that can dominate thoughts and influence behavior. While common in bereavement, the term denotes a temporary emotional condition rather than a formal medical diagnosis. The related form grief-stricken or grief-struck is often hyphenated in modern usage.

Causes and symptoms commonly involve bereavement or other profound losses, such as serious illness, relationship disruption, or traumatic events. Typical manifestations include persistent sadness, crying, sleep disturbances, diminished energy, withdrawal, difficulty concentrating, and changes in appetite. The duration and intensity vary; if intense sorrow persists for an extended period or significantly impairs functioning, it may be described as complicated or prolonged grief, and professional support might be considered.

Coping with griefstricken distress frequently relies on social support, stable routines, adequate rest, physical activity, and participation in rituals or memorials. Counseling, such as grief counseling or psychotherapy, can aid in processing emotions and adjusting to loss. Medication is not a treatment for grief itself but may be prescribed for coexisting conditions like depression or anxiety if warranted by a clinician.

In culture and media, the term is widely used to evoke a character’s or a person’s moment of deep sorrow after loss. It can serve as a descriptive tool in journalism, literature, and film to convey the weight of bereavement and its impact on behavior and relationships.