can you die of sadness?

Question

(i'm not talking about the act of suicide)

Answer 1

No. Emotions can alter the production of some hormones. But they do not directly effect the ability of organs to function.

Answer 2

I immediately thought of Johnny Cash when I read your question, who died shortly after his wife June Carter died. In the study referenced here: http://society.guardian.co.uk/health/story/0,,2054350,00.html

it suggests, that people do die of broken hearts, or sadness, in other words. For those that don't wish to read the article, the study found that those who suffered emotional trauma had stress hormones in their blood 3 times higher than normal, leading to heart attacks in otherwise healthy hearts.

So I think in some instances, such as the loss of a beloved spouse, people can truly die of sadness.

Answer 3

Your heart is a countdown for your life. Having said that, we are all gonna die. depression will shorten your life, if it gets the best of you, then it will dramatically shorten your life.
do be sad. there are plenty of people in the world that have much more wrong with them than Americans. We are very caught up in our lives. just be happy.

Answer 4

The will to live has been too long in grief and thus the sad. Another form of social neglect which weakens the bodies immunity to disease ,thus the onset of death to the body.

Answer 5

In a way, yes.

many people shorten their life span due to sadness.

disease likes this kind of environment on which to feed.

it gets COMPLICATED.

They say that an apple a day keeps the doctor away.
Well, I think that a SMILE all the day
Keeps disease at bay

Answer 6

Well, when you're depressed, you lose the ability of desire. Without wanting to do something, you soon die of not fulfilling something - emotionally, mentally, socially, sexually, physically etc.

For example, when you're depressed, you don't feel as hungry as you used to. You'll die from starvation or an eating disorder.

Answer 7

absolutely, attitude has to do a lot with your life. Being sad prevent your to focus on positive things in life and your body eventually gives up along with your brain. You've got to get sick first though .

Answer 8

I have found that *everyone* must have someone or something to live *for*. Could be a loving spouse, a good friend, your children and grandchildren.

If you don't have any such motivation your body will just give up.

Conversely, proper motivation will give you good health and longevity.

Take your pick!

Answer 9

yes and no
yes - you get sad , you may lose appetite, and you dont get all your nutrients, proteins, and vitamins, so eventually you get the flu or something, and become ill and thats it for you. nobody is immune to sadness.
no - because sadness is emotional pain, is just emotional - you dont die when you get it but it really hurts.

Answer 10

Depression and loneliness have been linked to shorter life spans but how true this is nobody really knows.