Inpsychology, the variations in response can range fromnormal grieftocomplicated grief.
This article explains what grief actually is and the ways in which normal grief differs from complicated grief.
What Is Grief?
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Grief is the powerful set of feelings that human beings have after a painful or traumatic loss.
The intense feelings of grief are not something a person has much control over.
Each person is affected by grief differently.
Even two people who go through the same loss may grieve in different ways.
What Is Normal Grief?
Grief is a necessary part of going through a painful or traumatic loss.
This is referred to as normal grief.
Symptoms of normal grief include:
There is no set timetable for grief.
They may never entirely forget the loss but, in time, will learn how to cope with it.
What Is Complicated Grief?
Normal grief is temporary.
The characteristics of complicated grief can include many of the same experiences as normal grief.
Even so, many people find that the first year following a major loss is hard to get through.
If you are experiencing complicated grief, you may feel “trapped” in your grief.
You might feel as if your grief has stayed the same or gotten worse over time.
Working with a mental health professional can help you learn about your grief response and find ways to cope.
Grief can make a person feel very alone.
Talking about your situation with others who are mourning may help you understand your own feelings.
A person might be doing this intentionally or without even realizing it.
Or, they might feel a responsibility to help other loved ones cope.
The pressure to take on this role may start during thefuneral arrangementsor in the weeks and months that follow.
There may be other reasons for delayed grief.
Sudden or traumatic grief can lead to very intense reactions.
In some cases, people may develop and require treatment forpost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Summary
Grief is part of how humans respond to significant losses.
Each person experiences grief differently.
However, there are many things that most people commonly experience as they process their grief.
Normal grief describes the typical feelings that people have in the first weeks or months after a loss.
This jot down of grief will get better with time as people learn to cope with the loss.
Complicated grief describes feelings and responses that can be extremely intense and persistent.
Many people are still able to process their grief even if the process is not typical.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bereavement is the period of grief and mourning following a loss or death.
It can manifest in emotional reactions like anger, anxiety, despair, guilt, and sadness.
Working with atherapistis the go-to method of managing complicated grief.
There are small differences between grief and mourning.
Grief refers to a person’s emotional reaction following a loss.
2011;28(2):103117. doi:10.1002/da.20780
American Psychiatric Association.Prolonged grief disorder.
