Grief is a very familiar term. What isn’t so familiar is the fact that there are many different types. If you Google it, you can find up to about 20 types. There’s no way to fit a description of almost two dozen grief types in this blog, so we will touch on the most common types a grief therapist sees in their practice.
What is the Cause of Grief?
Simply put, grief is an emotional response to a loss. This could include the loss of a loved one, a friend, a pet, a job, a relationship, health, or a way of life. Any kind of loss that causes an individual great sadness can be identified as a cause of grief.
Five Specific Types of Grief
Although there are many, today we will look at five types of grief.
- Traumatic grief – As it suggests, this is a grief that follows the loss that occurred in a traumatic and unexpected way. An example would be an act of violence.
- Absent grief – This describes individuals who live in denial of the loss, or maybe they are living in shock. This can get very concerning if left untreated for an extended period of time.
- Delayed grief – Symptoms do not manifest immediately. They are experienced long after the loss.
- Masked grief – Not easily recognized as a grief response. For examples, a physical ailment may appear after the loss to cover up the grief.
- Normal grief – This simply refers to the predictable process of grieving. We’re all unique, and as such, how we respond to grief varies. Therefore, there is no timeline or actual “normal” for how long it will take to heal.
See a Compassionate Grief Therapist at Garrett Counseling Center
At times, grief can make it virtually impossible to accomplish even the smallest task. At Garrett, we understand how difficult taking the first step to healing can be. We are confident if you make that call, we can help. Call Garrett today at (256) 239-5662, or request an appointment here. Don’t suffer one more day. Find healing today with grief counseling in Huntsville, AL.