In Grief: Coping with Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strengths.  ~ C.H. Spurgeon

A reader writes: I am trying to figure out if what I am going through is normal. I am thinking that it is probably some kind of panic or anxiety attack. It started when I had something upsetting happen totally unrelated to the death of my friend. Everything went okay with that situation but things seemed to get worse as the evening went on. Yesterday it was like I had tunnel vision all day. I felt shaky and detached. I have been restless, anxious, and feeling like I am sleep deprived when I have actually been sleeping.

Coping with A Cancer Diagnosis: Anticipatory Grief in Caregiving

Understand there’s no right or wrong way to grieve, including anticipatory grief. It’s like the ocean. It ebbs and it flows. There can be moments of calm. But out of nowhere, it can feel like you’re drowning.  ~ Dana Arcuri

A reader writes: I am searching for an online support group for people and/or their loved ones who have been diagnosed with cancer. Three months ago, my husband (54 years old) felt a mass in the left side of his abdomen. Through several different physician referrals it was determined that he had massive splenomegaly. His spleen was removed last month. The pathology report stated he has CLL ~ Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. It is said to be stage 3. This week he will be having a bone marrow aspiration, to determine possible treatment options, if any.

In Grief: Feeling Like More Is Going Wrong Than Right

Some of the best growth happens as a result of things going wrong.  ~ Nishan Panwar

A reader writes:  I am looking for suggestions. My story in short is I am six months in grief after my husband's unexpected suicide. It feels like more is going wrong than right and I am feeling like I'm on a sinking ship. My adult son, also grieving, lives with me and he is very resistant to seeing a grief councellor or anyone else. I was seeing someone but finances are such that I have to stop seeing her for awhile. 

Meditation and Mindfulness in Grief

by Mary Friedel-Hunt, MA, LCSW

Acceptance in the mindful context means that even when the unthinkable happens, we honor our self and our experience with dignity and kindness. Rather than turn our back on our own suffering, we treat ourselves as we would a beloved friend.  ~ Heather Stang

Research studies confirm that the practice of meditation and mindfulness changes our brains and our lives; reduces pain, anxiety, confusion and stress; boosts the immune system; and increases concentration, focus and compassion, among its many other benefits. In addition, the practice of meditation and mindfulness can assist us in healing our grief, because it helps us live in the present moment...where our grief resides.

Anticipatory Grief: Coping With A Cancer Diagnosis

Find the latest version of this post here:

Coping with A Cancer Diagnosis: Anticipatory Grief in Caregiving

A reader writes: I am searching for an online support group for people and/or their loved ones who have been diagnosed with cancer. Three months ago, my husband (54 years old) felt a mass in the left side of his abdomen. Through several different physician referrals it was determined that he had massive splenomegaly. His spleen was removed last month. The pathology report stated he has CLL ~ Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. It is said to be stage 3. This week he will be having a bone marrow aspiration, to determine possible treatment options, if any.

He and I talk very openly about the future for him, and for all of us as a family. We have 3 grown children, all in their early twenties.

I am hoping to find someone who might be going through this situation, and is willing to talk about how they are handling their situation, their type of cancer, or just anything they would like to share.

Anxiety and Panic Attacks in Grief

A reader writes: I am trying to figure out if what I am going through is normal. I am thinking that it is probably some kind of panic or anxiety attack. It started when I had something upsetting happen totally unrelated to the death of my friend. Everything went okay with that situation but things seemed to get worse as the evening went on. Yesterday it was like I had tunnel vision all day. I felt shaky and detached.I have been restless, anxious, and feeling like I am sleep deprived when I have actually been sleeping.

Last night I had very bizarre nightmares that were very upsetting and frustrating and I am going through the day feeling odd. I have taken my blood pressure and it is low normal, cause I actually thought maybe my blood pressure had shot up or something. My heart rate is up though, close to 90 bpm. I have the sensation of panic. That's the only way I know how to describe it. Which is one of the reasons why I think this is a panic/anxiety attack. Has anyone else experienced this under the stress of a loss?  Read on here >>>

Caregiving, Grief & Pet Loss, March 22 - March 28, 2020

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Whether this virus took the life a friend or family member, took away your wedding, your support system, your job, your long-anticipated vacation, your liberty, or your sense of security, your losses are valid and deserving of your grief. So, how do we respond? What can we do? Global Grief of COVID-19, https://j.mp/2UN3qse « Grief Compass

The coronavirus pandemic highlights how much we need to have conversations about end-of-life care: It’s Time to Talk About Death, https://j.mp/39sMDQy « The New York Times

Caregiving, Grief & Pet Loss Tweets, August 25 - August 31, 2019

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Times Like These, I Wish You Were Here, http://j.mp/2HCBrWt « What's Your Grief?

The Grief of an Overdose Death — and How You Can Support Someone Grieving a Substance Use Loss, https://j.mp/32dvIhN « Center on Addiction

Managing Grief in the Workplace, https://j.mp/32lxPQR « Thrive Global

Understanding and Managing Grief, February 24 - March 2, 2019

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

The Longing of Saudade, http://j.mp/2NCu17n « Widower's Grief

I'm Feeling Crazy. Do I Need Psychotherapy? http://bit.ly/2GSN4tM « Open To Hope

New Research Shows the Power of 1 Session of Guided Imagery on Anxiety, http://j.mp/2GQxSgD « Health Journeys

Caregiving and Hospice, January 27 - February 2, 2019

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Help for an Alcoholic Struggling with Addiction for 25 Years, http://j.mp/2G4LaFT « Health Journeys

Is It Ever Too Soon To Enter Hospice Care? We Ask Heart of Hospice, http://bit.ly/2CUSIqQ « KPEL965

Why falls and fractures in the elderly can be a trigger for hospice care, http://j.mp/2D7Fasj « The Journal

Pet Loss: Supporting Your Grieving Pet

Honey and Buddy

[Reviewed and updated December 2, 2025]

No matter where you go, you will always be in my heart.  ~ Anthony T. Hicks

A reader writes: I miss my dog so much and it's so hard. I feel like I'm never going to get over her. This is the letter I wrote to her: 

Coping with Pet Loss, January 3 - January 13, 2018

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Pet Hospice 101: Quality of Life: Recognizing Pain in a Pet, http://j.mp/2FgZCqV « Gentle Journey

Pet Loss: Curious Cats Still Getting Killed in Clothes Dryers, http://j.mp/2Ffdzp6
« Grief Healing

Your feedback is welcome! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question, or share a tip, a related article or a resource of your own in the Comments section below. If you’d like Grief Healing Blog updates delivered right to your inbox, you’re cordially invited to subscribe to our weekly Grief Healing Newsletter. Sign up here.

Pet Loss: Curious Cats Still Getting Killed in Clothes Dryers

[Reviewed and updated December 2, 2025]

Precaution is better than cure.  ~ Edward Coke

In an earlier post I shared a number of stories from members of our online pet loss forum describing their personal experiences with cats and kittens being accidentally killed in clothes dryers.

As I said then, losing a beloved animal in such a horrific way leaves pet parents traumatized with gruesome images and devastating feelings of grief, guilt and remorse.

I’m sorry to say that despite my own efforts to alert and to warn, with an eye toward prevention, these tragic accidents continue to this day.

Caregiving and Hospice, September 10 - September 16, 2017

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Staying Calm in a Hurricane - Guided Imagery Do's and Don'ts, http://j.mp/2xnlXRX « Health Journeys

Art from the Heart - the role of art therapy in palliative care, http://j.mp/2flbi0s « Alberta Hospice Palliative Care Association

Beautiful: Seventysomething: When it's time to stop fixing life's holes, http://j.mp/2eRMJY5 « PBS NewsHour

Your feedback is welcome! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question, or share a tip, a related article or a resource of your own in the Comments section below. If you’d like Grief Healing Blog updates delivered right to your inbox, you’re cordially invited to subscribe to our weekly Grief Healing Newsletter. Sign up here.

Caregiving and Hospice, September 3 - September 9, 2017

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Guided Imagery Now On An "Approved for Use" List at the VHA, http://j.mp/2eLTrih « Health Journeys

Brilliant: Honor the person and the work with "The Pause," http://j.mp/2eKAk8d « Jonathan Bartels on Vimeo

How Can Palliative Care Improve Quality of Life? http://j.mp/2w3MKOJ « Seven Ponds Blog

Your feedback is welcome! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question, or share a tip, a related article or a resource of your own in the Comments section below. If you’d like Grief Healing Blog updates delivered right to your inbox, you’re cordially invited to subscribe to our weekly Grief Healing Newsletter. Sign up here.

Caregiving and Hospice, August 20 - August 26, 2017

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

How Do We Improve Communication About Palliative Care? http://j.mp/2wdiZNj « SevenPonds Blog

10 Sanity-Saving Long Distance Caregiving Tips, http://j.mp/2wv3vqp « Caring.com

Active vs. Passive: a Key Difference between Mindfulness and Guided Imagery, http://j.mp/2w8HmLU « Health Journeys

Understanding and Managing Grief, April 16 - April 22, 2017

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Who’s in Charge Here? Coping with loss of control, http://bit.ly/2ork7rS « What's Your Grief?

How to Offer Support to a Grieving Colleague, http://bit.ly/2pji1yu « Harvard Business Review

Guided Imagery 101 – Some Basics for Everyone, http://bit.ly/2pGDXAq « Health Journeys

Pet Loss: Curious Cats Get Killed in Clothes Dryers

Source

[Reviewed and updated December 2, 2025]

Accidents happen. Our bones shatter, our skin splits, our hearts break. We burn, we drown, we stay alive.~ Moïra Fowley-Doyle

Nothing hurts my heart more than hearing from an animal lover whose cherished companion animal has died in an accident that could have been prevented. In my many years of moderating an online pet loss forum, far too often I have heard from pet parents whose precious cat or kitten has died after being trapped in a clothes washer or dryer. Losing a beloved animal in such a horrific way leaves a person with gruesome images and devastating feelings of grief, guilt and remorse.

Understanding and Managing Grief, July 6 - July 12, 2014

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Exploring Grief Through Photograhy by Litsa Williams, http://j.mp/1khvw4r « Prezi

Grief in the Workplace: How can Managers Balance Productivity and Compassion? http://j.mp/1oQMo6m « Theravive

Helping Grieving Children: A List of Suggested Resources, http://j.mp/15BOJqS « Grief Healing Blog

Caregiving and Hospice, June 22 - June 28, 2014

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

16 questions to ask when choosing a hospice, http://j.mp/1q1CcZK
« Kevin MD

Guided Imagery and PTSD: A Different Approach to Treatment, http://j.mp/1obt3fQ « NICABM

Beautiful: Before Night Falls: Hospice nursing in pictures, http://j.mp/1vf9C6H « The New York Times