What is the origin of the idiom "in the grip of something" and when to use it?

The idiom "in the grip of something" does not have a specific documented origin, but it uses the word "grip" in a figurative sense to describe a situation where someone is strongly affected or controlled by something, such as an emotion, circumstance, or influence. This idiom has been in use for many years to convey the idea of being firmly under the influence or control of a particular force or situation.