The American Psychological Association states that “grief is the anguish experienced after a significant loss, usually the death of a beloved person. Grief may also take the form of regret for something lost, remorse for something done, or sorrow for a mishap to oneself.”
Elizabeth Janca, experienced school administrator, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Possip Reporter shares different types of grief, the stages, and ways to cope with or mourn loss.
We often think of grief as a result of death, but it’s important to realize it can be the loss of a friendship, removing someone from your life, or regretting actions. Some important things to remember are that it looks different for everyone, there is not a set amount of time to experience it, and moving on doesn’t mean forgetting.
The Grieving Process
Experiencing grief is natural and what is considered “normal” varies based on culture, people, and situations. While it does look different for everyone, we can generally identify if someone is experiencing acute, complicated, or integrated grief. Firstly, become aware of different types of grieving:
Acute Grief
- Immediately follows the loss
- May experience shock, distress, sadness
- Feelings may impact sleep, appetite, and anxiety
- Symptoms slowly diminish over time
Complicated Grief
- The symptoms and feelings of acute grief never go away
- The loss continues to feel unreal
- May be accompanied by guilt over the idea of “moving on”
Integrated Grief
- Symptoms of acute or complicated grief have been resolved
- You have accepted the loss and have returned to daily activities
- Moving on doesn’t mean forgetting, you may not miss them any less
- You’ve learned to cope with the hurt that comes with their memory
- Acute grief may reappear during holidays, anniversaries, or other important events
