Grief Work Theory Essay

“Good grief”, the oxymoron begs the question: Is grieving good for us? The text mentions the different ways grief affects us, from physiological symptoms like sleep deprivation, irregular heartbeats, loss of appetite, to emotional symptoms like stress, anxiety and panic, to social struggles like isolation, disenfranchised grief etc. Grieving is universal, and many cultures incorporate rituals to help in this process, so there must be some purpose or intrinsic need for it.
Psychoanalyst Freud’s, “Grief Work Theory”, tries to give purpose to grieving by claiming that grief helps people adapt to their current life without their deceased loved one being a part of it. Grief helps them come to terms with reality while aiding reintegration into society and letting go of the attachments made. If these are the reasons, then why do we in an advanced society struggle with this process. As I read this article about Prince William and Prince Harry, I am stunned at the comments below the article that express indifference and criticism at the grief expressed by the two princes.
Nearly two decades ago, I remember watching Princess Diana’s casket, with …show more content…
The nature of Princess Diana’s death being violent did contribute in making the grief longer. William also found meaning in his loss when he spoke about the paparazzi that, “People would be utterly appalled if they knew exactly what went on. It was an industry that lost its way quite heavily, lost its sense of decency, lost its perspective on what was appropriate.” Making both brothers very cautious around letting the media influence their lives. They also continued their mother’s legacy of fighting the stigma of aids, the homeless and programs in Africa, in memory of