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What is Grief?
 

Grief is a universal experience but how we each experience grief is as individual as the fingerprints on our hands. 

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Grief can impact many areas of our lives and can affect us physically, emotionally, cognitively, spiritually, behaviourally and socially.

 

Grief can feel overwhelming, raw and confusing.  It can come in waves that vary in intensity.  It may feel you like a rollercoaster of emotions such as sadness, guilt, anger despair and longing. 

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It can take time to heal from loss as we learn to integrate it into our lives.  Grief doesn’t have a timeline, it’s different for everyone. 

There is no right or wrong way to grieve, some people cry some people don’t.   

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What are some different types of losses? 
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There are many different types of loss, some common types of loss include: 
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Death of a loved one
 

This is the most common type of loss, and it can be one of the most difficult to cope with. The death of a loved one or someone significant in your life can cause a wide range of emotions, including sadness, anger, guilt, and loneliness.

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Loss of a job
 

Losing your job can be a major life change, and it can have a significant impact on your financial security, your self-esteem, and your sense of identity. It can be difficult to find a new job, and you may feel stressed, anxious, or even depressed.

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End of a relationship
 

Whether it's a romantic relationship, a friendship, or a family relationship, the end of a relationship can be a painful experience. It can be difficult to adjust to life without the person you were close to, and you may feel lost, alone, or even angry.

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Health issues
 

Living with or caring for someone with chronic illness or a sudden medical crisis, can lead to a major source of stress and grief. Health issues can disrupt your life in many ways, and they can make it difficult to do the things you enjoy.

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Loss of a pet
 

Pets are often considered part of the family, and their death can be just as painful as the death of a human loved one. You may feel grief, sadness, guilt, and loneliness.

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These are just a few examples of the many different types of loss that people experience. No matter what type of loss you are going through, it is important to remember that you are not alone. There are people who care about you and want to help you through this difficult time.

What is disenfranchised grief?
 

Disenfranchised grief is a type of grief that is not socially or culturally acknowledged. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as the loss being considered insignificant, the griever being seen as unworthy of grief, or the loss being taboo.

Some examples of disenfranchised grief include: 

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  • The death of a pet 

  • The loss of an estranged family member

  • Loss of someone due to substance abuse or overdose

  • The loss of someone who died by suicide

  • The loss of of an ex-partner 

  • The loss of someone that you were in a private relationship that other people didn't know about

  • The loss of someone that you never knew, this could be an absent parent, an unknown sibling or celebrity

  • ​A loved one who is incarcerated or in a long-term care facility

 

Disenfranchised grief can be just as painful as any other type of grief, but it can be even more difficult to cope with because it is not acknowledged or supported by society. If you are experiencing disenfranchised grief, it is important to remember that your grief is valid.

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Be patient with yourself. Grief is a process, and it takes time to heal. 

 

If you are struggling to cope with disenfranchised grief, please reach out for help through this difficult time. 

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What is ambiguous loss? 
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Ambiguous loss is a type of grief that occurs when there is no clear closure or resolution regarding the loss.  The lack of clarity can make it particularly difficult to grieve and move forward in. Ambiguous loss can be caused by a variety of situations, including: 

  • The disappearance of a loved one, such as in a war or natural disaster or abduction.  The person is physically absent but their psychological presence and impact remains.

  • When birth parents or children are separated by adoption or foster care, there can be a sense of ambiguous loss as they are physically absent but still present in the thoughts and lives of those affected.

  • A loved one with dementia who no longer remembers their family or friends and who are physically present but their personality or cognitive abilities have significantly changed.

  • Mental health conditions like severe depression, schizophrenia, addiction or other mental health issues can result in a significant change in personality or cognitive function, leaving the person psychologically absent.

 

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