There are many different types of grief, which can affect individuals in unique ways. Here are a few types of grief and their brief explanation:
Anticipatory grief: This type of grief is experienced when an individual knows that a loss is coming, such as when a loved one has a terminal illness. Anticipatory grief can include feelings of sadness, anxiety, and depression, and may involve a range of coping strategies, such as talking to others or seeking support from a therapist.
Complicated grief: Also known as prolonged grief disorder, this type of grief is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, guilt, and other intense emotions long after a loss has occurred. Complicated grief can interfere with daily functioning and may require professional treatment to address.
Disenfranchised grief: This type of grief occurs when an individual experiences a loss that is not acknowledged or recognized by others, such as a pet loss, a miscarriage, or the loss of a relationship that was not socially recognized. Disenfranchised grief can be particularly challenging because the individual may feel alone in their grief.
Collective grief: This type of grief is experienced by communities or groups of people who have experienced a shared loss, such as a natural disaster, a mass shooting, or a pandemic. Collective grief can involve feelings of sadness, fear, anger, and frustration, and may require support from mental health professionals or community leaders.
Secondary grief: This type of grief is experienced by individuals who are affected by a loss that has happened to someone else, such as when a parent grieves the loss of their child or a spouse grieves the loss of their partner. Secondary grief can be just as intense as primary grief and may require support from others to process and cope.
Check out my other grief posts for resources for help and support.
Sources
"Anticipatory Grief." Hospice Foundation of America, www.hospicefoundation.org/Hospice-Care/Understanding-Hospice-Care/Anticipatory-Grief.
"Prolonged Grief Disorder." American Psychiatric Association, www.psychiatry.org/patients-families.
"Disenfranchised Grief." Grief Share, www.griefshare.org.
"The Grief of a Nation: Addressing Collective Grief During COVID-19." American Psychiatric Association, www.psychiatry.org/newsroom.
"Secondary Grief." The Grief Recovery Method, www.griefrecoverymethod.com/blog/