How to Deal With Invisible Forms of Grief

“There are many ways we lose people we love. Not all of them come with closure. Humans crave information and closure, especially when it pertains to the loss of a loved one. When we do not get either, we experience an "ambiguous loss." The first step to resolving the grief created by an ambiguous loss is to learn how to identify it. According to Dr. Pauline Boss, who first coined the term in the 1970s, an ambiguous loss falls into one of the following two categories:

Category 1: Physical absence with psychological presence

Category 2: Physical presence with psychological absence

If you are experiencing or have experienced ambiguous loss, here are some ways you can begin to process it:

1. Find a way to acknowledge or honor the loss. Talk to a trusted loved one or a mental health practitioner. This will make sure that your loss isn’t dismissed or misunderstood.
2. Be self-compassionate. The only person that truly understands the magnitude of your loss is you. Research explains that being compassionate with yourself and remaining mindful of your triggers can save you a great deal of heartache.
3. Join a cause. The ambiguous loss of losing a friend to addiction or a family member to dementia can prolong your grief and anger. Research explains that channeling your negative emotions toward a cause—like rehabilitation efforts or dementia awareness—can help you leave your grief behind and create a sense of purpose from the loss.”

Read the whole article at Psychology Today

#Grief #Ambiguity #Loss #Closure

💬 How can we support someone who experiences grief?

Did you like this topic? Then you might also enjoy reading the post “Will My Grief Ever End?”