Updated 3/7/2022Grief is a very common, yet largely misunderstood, aspect of life. At one time or another, we all must go through the grieving process. But there are many forms and types of grief, and understanding the differences is key to being able to move through the grief process in a healthy way. Acknowledging your grief is often the healthiest way you can come out on the other side. Choosing not to deal with grief can have a long-term, lasting, negative impact on your life.So, what are the different types of grief? Read on to learn more and to see how you can get help withgrief counselingif you’re experiencing any of the following forms of grief.
Updated 3/7/2022
Grief is a very common, yet largely misunderstood, aspect of life. At one time or another, we all must go through the grieving process. But there are many forms and types of grief, and understanding the differences is key to being able to move through the grief process in a healthy way. Acknowledging your grief is often the healthiest way you can come out on the other side. Choosing not to deal with grief can have a long-term, lasting, negative impact on your life.
So, what are the different types of grief? Read on to learn more and to see how you can get help withgrief counselingif you’re experiencing any of the following forms of grief.
- Normal GriefGrief in and of itself is normal. Any time you suffer a loss, it’s the most normal thing in the world to have feelings of grief. There is a huge range of emotions that you may experience during your grieving process. Some of these can be physical, while others may be behavioral, emotional, or social.Grief Counseling OnlineYou don’t have to wait for help processing your loss. Access grief counseling within daysStart hereExamples of physical reactions to grief:An actual tightness in your chestFeeling weakLack of energyNauseaHeart palpitationsRestlessnessTearfulnessAnd many moreExamples of behavioral reactions to grief:ForgetfulnessConfusionDreaming of the person you’ve lostAbsent-mindednessExamples of emotional reactions to grief:AngerShockDenialNumbnessLonelinessReliefApathyIrritabilityMisplaced angerExamples of social reactions to grief:Being unusually dependent on other peopleWithdrawing from friendsRelationship difficultiesAvoiding familyAvoiding colleaguesAvoiding friendsIncreased substance abuseNeglecting yourself but caring for others“Grief can feel like such a difficult topic because of the weight of the pain. It is important to remember that all living beings will, at some point, experience the hurt that goes along with the normal grief process.”Talkspace therapist Ashley Ertel, LCSW, BCD, C-DBT
1. Normal Grief
Grief in and of itself is normal. Any time you suffer a loss, it’s the most normal thing in the world to have feelings of grief. There is a huge range of emotions that you may experience during your grieving process. Some of these can be physical, while others may be behavioral, emotional, or social.
Grief Counseling OnlineYou don’t have to wait for help processing your loss. Access grief counseling within daysStart here
Grief Counseling OnlineYou don’t have to wait for help processing your loss. Access grief counseling within days
Grief Counseling Online
You don’t have to wait for help processing your loss. Access grief counseling within days
Start here
Examples of physical reactions to grief:An actual tightness in your chestFeeling weakLack of energyNauseaHeart palpitationsRestlessnessTearfulnessAnd many moreExamples of behavioral reactions to grief:ForgetfulnessConfusionDreaming of the person you’ve lostAbsent-mindednessExamples of emotional reactions to grief:AngerShockDenialNumbnessLonelinessReliefApathyIrritabilityMisplaced angerExamples of social reactions to grief:Being unusually dependent on other peopleWithdrawing from friendsRelationship difficultiesAvoiding familyAvoiding colleaguesAvoiding friendsIncreased substance abuseNeglecting yourself but caring for others“Grief can feel like such a difficult topic because of the weight of the pain. It is important to remember that all living beings will, at some point, experience the hurt that goes along with the normal grief process.”Talkspace therapist Ashley Ertel, LCSW, BCD, C-DBT
Examples of physical reactions to grief:
Examples of behavioral reactions to grief:
Examples of emotional reactions to grief:
Examples of social reactions to grief:
“Grief can feel like such a difficult topic because of the weight of the pain. It is important to remember that all living beings will, at some point, experience the hurt that goes along with the normal grief process.”
Talkspace therapist Ashley Ertel, LCSW, BCD, C-DBT
2. Anticipatory Grief
Anticipatory grief or anticipatory mourning can be common if you’re expecting the loss of someone close to you in the near future. To prepare for the impending loss, you might begin trying to envision life without them. It can be especially common in cases when someone you care for is facing a terminal illness.
During anticipatory grief, you might try to anticipate how you’ll be reacting and mourning once your friend or loved ones passes away. You might feel loss or even incredible fear or emotion for the dying person.
- Complicated GriefComplicated griefoccurs when your grieving process does not move all the way through the steps of grief. It can be prolonged and much more intense, and it’ll typically have a significant impact on your ability to function. You might feel more depressed and have increased anxiety. With complicated grief, your reactions and behavior will likely extend for very long time periods, with little to no improvement.Complicated grief typically requires help from a mental health professional. Someone experienced with complicated grief can be beneficial, as complicated grief is one of the more difficult types of grief. It’s very important to understand that complicated grief will not resolve on its own.
3. Complicated Grief
Complicated griefoccurs when your grieving process does not move all the way through the steps of grief. It can be prolonged and much more intense, and it’ll typically have a significant impact on your ability to function. You might feel more depressed and have increased anxiety. With complicated grief, your reactions and behavior will likely extend for very long time periods, with little to no improvement.
Complicated grief typically requires help from a mental health professional. Someone experienced with complicated grief can be beneficial, as complicated grief is one of the more difficult types of grief. It’s very important to understand that complicated grief will not resolve on its own.
- Chronic GriefChronic grief results when extremely intense reactions to loss do not subside. These emotions will last for a very long time and cause you to have incredible distress that continues to intensify. You’ll have difficulty making much, if any, progress in moving through your grief so you can heal.
4. Chronic Grief
Chronic grief results when extremely intense reactions to loss do not subside. These emotions will last for a very long time and cause you to have incredible distress that continues to intensify. You’ll have difficulty making much, if any, progress in moving through your grief so you can heal.
- Delayed GriefDelayed grief can happen if you’re experiencing incredibly stark feelings of sorrow and longing even if the loved one’s death occurred a very long time ago. It can be felt for years after a loss, and it essentially means that your emotional reaction didn’t happen when it should have. This might be due to disassociation, which is common when things are too painful for you to feel. To cope, your mind blocks many of the thoughts, emotions, and feelings associated with the loss until you’re ready to process and deal with them.
5. Delayed Grief
Delayed grief can happen if you’re experiencing incredibly stark feelings of sorrow and longing even if the loved one’s death occurred a very long time ago. It can be felt for years after a loss, and it essentially means that your emotional reaction didn’t happen when it should have. This might be due to disassociation, which is common when things are too painful for you to feel. To cope, your mind blocks many of the thoughts, emotions, and feelings associated with the loss until you’re ready to process and deal with them.
- Distorted GriefDistorted grief can be defined as a very intense or extreme reaction to a loss. There typically will be a noticeable change in behavior overall, and self-destructive behavior is also common. Anger and lashing out, both towards yourself and others, is one of the most common emotional symptoms of distorted grief.
6. Distorted Grief
Distorted grief can be defined as a very intense or extreme reaction to a loss. There typically will be a noticeable change in behavior overall, and self-destructive behavior is also common. Anger and lashing out, both towards yourself and others, is one of the most common emotional symptoms of distorted grief.
- Cumulative GriefCumulative grief happens when you experience a second loss shortly after (or while you’re still processing grief from) a first loss. Also known asgrief overloadorbereavement overload, this can be one of the more difficult forms of grief to recover from. Compounding loss can result in a feeling of “I just can’t do this anymore.”But with the right therapy and guidance, you can move through all types of grief, including cumulative.
7. Cumulative Grief
Cumulative grief happens when you experience a second loss shortly after (or while you’re still processing grief from) a first loss. Also known asgrief overloadorbereavement overload, this can be one of the more difficult forms of grief to recover from. Compounding loss can result in a feeling of “I just can’t do this anymore.”But with the right therapy and guidance, you can move through all types of grief, including cumulative.
- Exaggerated GriefExaggerated grief includes more intense types of reactions than what you’d typically see in any other type of grief. When it’s exaggerated, your emotions and actions may become more noticeable and disruptive. You might experience self-destructive behavior, nightmares, thoughts of suicide or self-harm, drug or other substance abuse, or even abnormal fears. Additionally, sometimes exaggerated grief can result in the development of a psychiatric disorder.
8. Exaggerated Grief
Exaggerated grief includes more intense types of reactions than what you’d typically see in any other type of grief. When it’s exaggerated, your emotions and actions may become more noticeable and disruptive. You might experience self-destructive behavior, nightmares, thoughts of suicide or self-harm, drug or other substance abuse, or even abnormal fears. Additionally, sometimes exaggerated grief can result in the development of a psychiatric disorder.
- Secondary LossSecondary loss grief can occur when a loss affects several areas of your life. The end result can be that you actually experience a number of losses, all stemming from the original loss you experienced.
9. Secondary Loss
Secondary loss grief can occur when a loss affects several areas of your life. The end result can be that you actually experience a number of losses, all stemming from the original loss you experienced.
- Masked GriefMasked grief can present as physical symptoms or behaviors that tend to impair or hinder normal functioning in life. However, most often, you won’t be able to recognize these things as being the result of a loss or even see that they’re related to it in any way.
10. Masked Grief
Masked grief can present as physical symptoms or behaviors that tend to impair or hinder normal functioning in life. However, most often, you won’t be able to recognize these things as being the result of a loss or even see that they’re related to it in any way.
11. Disenfranchised Grief (Ambiguous)
Alternatively, perhaps the death was someone others think you shouldn’t or wouldn’t grieve for, say of a former spouse or a gang member, or even a same-sex partner. Any time a loss isn’t recognized, or you don’t feel seen or heard in how you’re feeling and grieving, the result may be disenfranchised grief.
Note that disenfranchised grief can also occur in cases when a loss isn’t due to actual death, but rather the result of a traumatic brain injury, substance abuse, or a mental health condition that alters a relationship significantly.
12. Traumatic Grief
Traumatic grief is a common result of trying to process grief when there’s added trauma that comes from a horrifying, unexpected loss or violent death. It can result in an impairment of your daily functioning in life.
- Collective GriefCollective griefhappens when a tragedy affects an entire community or large group. It’s common during times of war and after major natural disasters that can have long-lasting impacts. Other times we see collective grief can be after the death of a beloved public figure or a terrorist attack, after a mass casualty, or when a national tragedy occurs.
13. Collective Grief
Collective griefhappens when a tragedy affects an entire community or large group. It’s common during times of war and after major natural disasters that can have long-lasting impacts. Other times we see collective grief can be after the death of a beloved public figure or a terrorist attack, after a mass casualty, or when a national tragedy occurs.
- Inhibited GriefInhibited grief means you aren’t showing any obvious or outward forms of grief. This typically happens for a long period and results in not being able to effectively move through thestages of grief. You’ll likely eventually have physical reactions due to not dealing with your emotions if you’re experiencing inhibited grief.
14. Inhibited Grief
Inhibited grief means you aren’t showing any obvious or outward forms of grief. This typically happens for a long period and results in not being able to effectively move through thestages of grief. You’ll likely eventually have physical reactions due to not dealing with your emotions if you’re experiencing inhibited grief.
- Abbreviated GriefAbbreviated grief can occur when the person who passes away is replaced after a short time with someone or something new in your life. Generally, this might be the result of being able to quickly accept the original loss. Or, it can be due to the fact that there wasn’t a strong connection or attachment to the person lost.
15. Abbreviated Grief
Abbreviated grief can occur when the person who passes away is replaced after a short time with someone or something new in your life. Generally, this might be the result of being able to quickly accept the original loss. Or, it can be due to the fact that there wasn’t a strong connection or attachment to the person lost.
- Absent GriefAbsent grief means you aren’t showing any of the typical signs of grief. Perhaps you’re acting as though you haven’t experienced a loss at all. It can happen due to complete shock or total denial, and it’s seen a lot in cases where a loss is sudden or unexpected. While absent grief can be normal, it should be addressed if it continues for an extended period of time.
16. Absent Grief
Absent grief means you aren’t showing any of the typical signs of grief. Perhaps you’re acting as though you haven’t experienced a loss at all. It can happen due to complete shock or total denial, and it’s seen a lot in cases where a loss is sudden or unexpected. While absent grief can be normal, it should be addressed if it continues for an extended period of time.
How to Get Help for Grief
Online therapycan be extremely helpful in overcoming grief. Inonline grief counseling, you can learn grief therapy techniques and identify any behaviors or thought patterns that are keeping you from moving through your grief in a healthy manner. With the right help, you can learn how tomanage grief, recover from it, and be able to move on.
Sources:1. THE GRIEF EXPERIENCE Types of Grief and Loss. National Hospice Foundation.https://www.nhpco.org/about-nhpco/patients-and-caregivers/the-grief-experience/types-of-grief-and-loss/. Accessed August 28, 2021.2. Us C, Now D. Characteristics of “Normal” Grief. Sfsuicide.org.https://www.sfsuicide.org/prevention-strategies/dealing-with-grief/characteristics-of-normal-grief/. Accessed August 28, 2021.3. Speaking Grief | Understanding Grief: Types of grief. Speakinggrief.org.https://speakinggrief.org/get-better-at-grief/understanding-grief/types-of-grief/Published 2021. Accessed August 27, 2021.
Sources:
THE GRIEF EXPERIENCE Types of Grief and Loss. National Hospice Foundation.https://www.nhpco.org/about-nhpco/patients-and-caregivers/the-grief-experience/types-of-grief-and-loss/. Accessed August 28, 2021.
Us C, Now D. Characteristics of “Normal” Grief. Sfsuicide.org.https://www.sfsuicide.org/prevention-strategies/dealing-with-grief/characteristics-of-normal-grief/. Accessed August 28, 2021.
Speaking Grief | Understanding Grief: Types of grief. Speakinggrief.org.https://speakinggrief.org/get-better-at-grief/understanding-grief/types-of-grief/Published 2021. Accessed August 27, 2021.
Our goal at Talkspace is to provide the most up-to-date, valuable, and objective information on mental health-related topics in order to help readers make informed decisions.
Articles contain trusted third-party sources that are either directly linked to in the text or listed at the bottom to take readers directly to the source.
Share0Tweet0Pin it14
Share0
Tweet0
Pin it14
