When Pet Loss Feels Overwhelming: The Real Cause May Not Be Grief Alone

Hello, this is Miasa from Japan.

Losing a beloved pet can be incredibly painful. In some cases, the grief is so intense that it affects your physical and mental health.

You might experience a loss of appetite, insomnia, or even physical fatigue. These are common reactions to grief, and for most people, the sadness gradually eases with time. Even if the pain never fully disappears, life begins to return to a new kind of normal.

You may still cry from time to time when memories surface, but it no longer happens every day.

However, for some people, the sadness doesn’t fade. Weeks or even months later, they still feel completely stuck in their grief. They may find themselves crying over small things, feeling unusually irritable, or becoming angry for no clear reason.

If the emotional pain just won’t go away, it’s possible that something deeper is going on—such as depression.

How do I know this? Because I went through it myself.
If you’re curious, I’ve shared my own experience in detail here: [My Story of Pet Loss and Depression].

So why are some people unable to get over the loss of a pet?

The truth is, the cause may not be pet loss alone. There might be underlying issues contributing to your emotional state—such as unresolved trauma, long-term stress, or even physical illness.

If you’re finding it hard to cope, I encourage you to pause and ask yourself:
“Are these symptoms truly just from losing my pet, or could there be something else affecting my well-being?”

Understanding the root cause of your pain is the first step toward healing.

Your Health Issues May Not Be Caused by Pet Loss Alone

Have you been dealing with a lot of stress at work or in your personal life around the same time you lost your pet? Or are you facing physical health problems on top of your grief?
When emotional or physical instability continues for a long time, it’s important to pay attention to the deeper causes behind it.

In my own case, after losing my beloved dog, I lost the one place where I could release stress. Without realizing it, I began accumulating stress little by little every day, and eventually, I developed depression. The symptoms crept in so gradually that I didn’t notice until they became serious.

Many of our customers have shared a common experience—not just the pain of losing a pet, but the deeper hurt that came from not feeling understood by their family, friends, or coworkers after the loss.
I think It wasn’t just grief. It was the loneliness of grieving alone.

So now, I’d like to ask you to reflect on your current state of mind. Are you experiencing any of the following signs?

If any of these symptoms sound familiar, don’t push yourself too hard. Consider taking things slow, and in some cases, speaking with a grief counselor or mental health professional can truly help.

Here’s a checklist of common symptoms I was asked about during my visit to the hospital:

Mental and Physical Symptoms of Hidden Stress and Depression

• Tightness in the chest or a choking sensation
• Struggling to get out of bed in the morning
• Sudden waves of sadness or unexpected tears
• Crying every day
• Loss of appetite or not being able to taste food
• Inability to focus or complete tasks
• Foggy memory
• Frequent irritation or mood swings
• No motivation to leave your room
• Not wanting to see or talk to anyone
• Feeling like things are only getting worse
• Unable to go to work or school

These are some of the symptoms I was asked about at the hospital.

If you recognize yourself in any of these signs, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional. Just talking to someone can make a big difference.

And even if you feel like it’s not serious enough to see a doctor, I still encourage you to pause and reflect on your current lifestyle.
Take a short break, be kind to yourself, and ask:
“Is there anything else—beyond pet loss—that’s causing me stress or anxiety right now?”

Identifying the true cause is the first step toward healing.

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