Death is one of the hardest experiences for a human being to deal with. People are very diverse and depending on the bond that has been established with the deceased person, there may be 8 types of grief:
1. Anticipated grief
Anticipatory grief begins before death has occurred. It is common when a terminal illness is diagnosed. The grieving process is the usual one, but the person experiences various anticipatory feelings and emotions that will prepare him or her emotionally and intellectually for the inevitable loss. It is a prolonged grieving process, not as acute as the rest, given that it is usually experienced when death occurs.
2. Unresolved grief
This type of grief is generally given its name when 18 to 24 months have passed and the grief is still present.
3. Chronic grief
This is an unresolved grief that does not subside over time and lasts for several years. It is also often called pathological grief or complicated grief. Pathological grief occurs when the person is unable to stop reliving in detail and vividly the events related to the death and everything that happens to them reminds them of that experience.
4. Absent grief
In this type of grief, the person denies that the events have occurred. It is a stage of denial where the individual continues to avoid reality, even though a lot of time has passed.
5. Delayed grief
Similar to normative grief, except that it begins after a while. It is commonly a part of absent grief and is likewise referred to as frozen grief. It is common in people who control their emotions excessively and appear strong. It can also appear in people who initially have to take care of many things that require immediate attention, such as caring for a family.
6. Inhibited grief
Inhibited grief is the result of difficulty in expressing feelings, where the person avoids the pain of loss. It is usually accompanied by somatic complaints. The limitations of the person’s way of being prevent him or her from crying or expressing grief. The difference with absent grief is that in this case, it is not a defense mechanism.
7. Unauthorized grief
When the grieving person’s surroundings do not accept his or her grief, this is called authorized grieving. These are usually cases where a long time has passed and the family may reproach the grieving person for continuing; the person tries to repress these feelings in front of the family but has not overcome them internally. It also occurs when the person who died or left had a stigma attached to them.
8. Distorted grief
It manifests itself as a strong, disproportionate reaction to the situation. It usually occurs when the person has already experienced a previous grief and is faced with a new situation of grief. In these cases, a person who was not significant may have died (a distant uncle), but the grief of a significant loss (a parent) is relieved.
Overcoming grief involves going through the different stages of grief to be able to put ourselves back together. Each person experiences grief differently. We will need time and, sometimes, support that we can receive from the psychological side. Through grief therapy, we help to accept the loss, manage the different emotions, and adapt to the new environment without the deceased person.
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