There is a distinction between grief, and depression and anxiety symptoms. While the former can be part of the natural process of loss and bereavement, such as the death of a loved one, the latter may manifest themselves for no apparent reason as part of psychiatric illnesses. Professional medical associations may soon consider grief as a form of depressive illness rather than a natural emotion, according to the Huffington Post.
This decision has divided care providers who are concerned about what treatments will be given to which patients. Further complicating matters is that some people begin experiencing symptoms even before a loved one dies, due to the stress of dealing with a serious illness.
Thankfully, Oregon yoga classes and similar regimens can serve as a complementary, non-pharmaceutical approach to grief, according to psychologist Joseph Nowinski, PhD. Other alternative approaches may include meditation and massage therapy.
"What we would recommend is that not only patients, but their loved ones as well, avail themselves of these complementary therapies as soon as possible," Nowinski wrote in the column. "Doing so will not by any means prevent grief, but it may help to ameliorate the chronic stress that comes with coping with terminal illness, and which can can complicate the grieving process."
According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, yoga can help improve stress management as well as mood.
