Abnormal Grief
Sometimes, the normal mourning process can turn to complicated or abnormal grieving for a number of reasons. These can include the circumstances of the death, the person’s history of grieving experiences, and the personality of the bereaved and the availability of support.
We discussed earlier the more common reactions experienced in grief, but in order to identify abnormal grief, we can categorise complicated grief reactions into four headings.
1. Chronic grief reactions
Grief can become chronic in cases where the bereaved no longer believes they have an identity without the deceased. They feel that they cannot function alone. Chronic grief is the most common form of abnormal grief and typically affects people who have lost their long time partner.
2. Delayed grief
This type of abnormal grief can occur unexpectedly some time after the death of the loved one. The bereaved appears to function well immediately after the death, but is really delaying the grief due to other life stressors, including supporting others and arranging funerals. The grief occurs at a later date in response to another loss or as a reminder of the loss.
3. Exaggerated grief
Exaggerated grief is where the bereaved person is so overwhelmed by the death of their loved one, that they develop major psychiatric disorders such as phobias and disabling helplessness.
4. Masked grief reactions
When the bereaved experiences physical symptoms that do not at first appear to be related to the loss, it can be a masked grief reaction. This type of abnormal grief is thought to occur when normal grief cannot be openly expressed because of cultural or societal factors.
March 17th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
As a widow of four years I agree with this post. Grief appears in a multitude of forms, but sometimes it can just get out of hand, and when it goes on too long, and there is no movement forward by the bereaved, it is best to talk with a professional.
March 19th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
hi, have done a 10 week course through a bereavement care program in a hospital and yes everything is covered. But dont forget compounded grief. Sometimes the pile up of grief covers the person so there is no way out of it. Thanks
March 28th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
I have been a grief counsellor for a few years now, and no matter what you ‘think’ you know, or understand as a counsellor, there is always more to learn. I thought I understood grief after the death of my son, fifteen years ago - but now I wonder if we ever really understand how we feel.
I have just lost three significant people in my life over a four month period, and every death was different. Many multi-faceted layers of grief and pain, all tangled up together. I watch as other members of my family manage their grief in different ways. Some healthy, and some unhealthy. BUT, I have realised one ‘thing’ on my journey thus far - that there are no answers or solutions. We have to ‘own’ our pain - no way around it - just ‘through’ it.
Yes, we can learn strategies to support ourselves - but, what we really need at the time of our despair is someone near us to listen. No judgement - just to be there as we ‘vent’ our pain. Whether that be a friend, family member, or counsellor.
It’s all quite simple really. Life happens - there’s no changing it.
THANKS! KAREN
June 18th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Great information! I also write about grief loss and I really appreciate your post for it’s straightforwardness. I just thought that your site is of great reference for me and for my writings as well.
Gonna visit this site more often for more updates about grief loss. Is it OK with you if I’m going to get some information in you site regarding grief loss and other useful information that this site provides?
-Jan
June 18th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Hi Jan,
Thanks for the accolades!
As long as you reference the content (acknowledge its source and authors), you are more than welcome to republish our content in your website.
Kind regards,
Editor.
June 18th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
PS For more information about re-publishing our content, visit the following link:
http://www.counsellingconnection.com/index.php/guidelines-for-use-of-content/