Grief is often associated with the loss of a loved one; however, this type of loss isn't the only event that leads to grief. Grief could be triggered by sad...
Grief is often associated with the loss of a loved one; however, this type of loss isn't the only event that leads to grief.
Grief could be triggered by sad events such as the loss of a job opportunity, loss of safety, an infertility diagnosis, and even more by happy occasions such as changing apartments or going off to college.
Humans are likely to experience various types of grief during a lifetime, and we often have unique experiences with our grieving journey.
For one, when an individual grieves in a usual way and has typical grief reactions, they are said to be experiencing normal grief.
People who experience normal grief accept the reality of loss, grief healthily, and gradually heal as time passes.
Another type of grief people often experience is anticipatory grief.
Anticipatory grief occurs when a person expects a huge loss or change and begins a grieving process in anticipation- before the event happens.
In addition, people often experience complicated grief after going through a major loss.
Complicated grief can be difficult to deal with as the griever may experience severe grief reactions and may need grief therapy to heal properly.
Read on to gain deeper insights into the various types of grief anyone can feel:
Everyone has a unique grief experience, so there's no precise definition of "normal grief."
However, normal grief is one of the types of grief whereby a person grieves in the expected or predictable way, considering their culture, age, and personality.
People who experience normal grief are likely to grieve in a healthy way.
Although it is normal to experience various emotions after loss, such as pain, sadness, and anger, people experiencing normal grief learn to accept their feelings sooner and process them healthily.
Similarly, normal grief helps a person accept the reality of loss and move forward in their healing process.
It is typically believed that people who experience normal grief go through all five stages of grief - denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance- between six months to two years.
In addition, normal grief allows a person "live" and get support from others while grieving.
A normal griever, in spite of their pain, will continue to practice self-care and personal hygiene, participate in their hobbies and lean on friends and family for support.
One of the types of grief people experience at a point in their life is anticipatory grief.
This kind of grieving occurs when someone is expecting a loss and begins to grieve or mourn the loss before it happens.
People often do this in order to prepare their minds and body for the "inevitable."
For instance, anticipatory grief can be spurred when a loved one shares news of moving far away or is diagnosed with a terminal illness.
On receiving such news, the recipient may begin to experience several emotions, such as helplessness, loneliness, anger, or sadness, resulting in anticipatory grief.
For some, anticipatory grief helps to lessen the impact of loss when it finally happens.
This type of grief can allow an individual to accept the reality of loss and prepare for the end outcome.
Anticipatory grief can also bring a sense of peace and closure and enables the griever to spend quality time with the individual while they are still present.
While various people experience positives to griefing in anticipation, it can be harmful to others.
For some, anticipatory grief robs them of a happy time with their loved ones as they are usually too focused on the loss and painful feelings of loss.
It is also difficult to share feelings of grief with others and get needed support, as the loved one is still present.
Although there's no set guideline or timeline for grieving, people experiencing delayed grief often delay their grief reactions until long after their loss.
Delayed grief is one of the types of grief where a person seems unaffected by the symptoms or impacts of grief until much later.
Delayed grief could occur as a result of a traumatic experience, young age, or the occurrence of a major life event.
The griever may intentionally or unintentionally avoid the reality of loss and the emotional and psychological impacts of grief.
The griever could also subconsciously suppress their emotions and avoid grief reactions by focusing on work, keeping busy, changing locations, or suppressing memories of the lost loved one.
While delayed grief may provide temporary relief for the griever, the feelings of grief often manifest at a much later time.
When it manifests, delayed grief can be much more challenging to deal with.
Although many people think of grieving as experiencing anger, heartache, crying uncontrollably, inability to do simple tasks, etc., grief could also take other forms.
Absent grief is one of the types of grief whereby the griever shows no typical grief reactions to their loss.
This type of grief sometimes occurs when the griever is in denial/shock, feels relief, doesn't know how to respond to loss, has grieved in anticipation, or has difficulty processing the "new" reality.
The griever might appear to others- and themselves- as if they are not affected by the loss or going through grief.
In reality, however, absent grief often manifests as intense worry, difficulty sleeping, difficulty concentrating, absent-mindedness, or anger.
However, because these are not typical grief reactions, the griever might find it difficult to get support or much-needed help from others.
Hence, seeking counseling or speaking to a health care professional is always advisable when absent grief goes on for an extended period.
One of the types of grief people feel is complicated grief.
This type of grief occurs when a person has severe and prolonged grief reactions and is unable to function as they used to.
Complicated grief can be perceived as a prolonged or traumatic kind of grief.
Warning signs that a person is experiencing complicated grief may include violent outbursts, low self-esteem, deep feelings of guilt, self-destructive behavior, radical lifestyle changes, or suicidal thoughts.
Several factors may contribute to the development of complicated grief.
It could be due to the griever's unhealed traumas, life experiences, social issues, personality, conflicting feelings of loss, relationship with the lost loved one, or the nature of the loss/death.
People experiencing complicated grief should consider therapy or any other form of professional help in order to process their emotions, and manage complicated feelings and grief healthily.
It is essential to understand the type of grief you're experiencing to know what your grief journey needs, understand your grieving styles, heal properly and provide grief support for others.
Everyone has unique grief reactions, and yours might be different from another grieving person sharing the same feelings of loss with you.
The common types of grief people anyone can feel include normal grief, anticipatory grief, delayed grief, absent grief, and complicated grief.
https://www.betterup.com/blog/types-of-grief
https://whatsyourgrief.com/types-of-grief/
https://www.elizz.com/caregiver-resources/palliative-care/types-of-grief-and-loss/
https://www.betterplaceforests.com/blog/articles/7-common-types-of-grief-with-examples
Yes. Grief does not follow a timeline, and unresolved grief can resurface months or even years later. Grief counseling can help you process lingering emotions, make sense of your loss, and develop healthy coping strategies—no matter how much time has passed. Many people seek grief and loss counseling when they realize their grief is still affecting their daily life, relationships, or sense of peace.
Grief counseling and bereavement counseling are closely related and often used interchangeably. Both focus on helping individuals process loss and navigate the grieving process. Bereavement counseling typically refers specifically to grief after the death of a loved one, while grief counseling can also address other losses, such as divorce, miscarriage, loss of identity, or major life changes. A grief therapist will tailor support based on your unique experience and needs.
Grief can feel like a huge, overwhelming wave that just won't go away. The goal of counseling isn’t to make the wave disappear, but to teach you how to surf it. Grief counseling focuses on helping you move through the grieving process in a healthy, supported way—without pressure or judgment.
We work together to help you process your emotions, understand the stages of grief, and find a way to honor your loved one while still living your own life. Through grief therapy and bereavement counseling, many people find renewed stability and meaning, even after profound loss.
Grief is a deeply personal journey, and there’s no right or wrong way to do it. It’s a bit like a fingerprint—it's unique to you. You might feel a mix of sadness, anger, guilt, or even relief, and that's all okay. Grief and loss can affect emotions, sleep, focus, and even physical health—and all of these responses are valid.
There's no timeline or checklist for grief, and we want you to know that whatever you're feeling is valid. We provide a safe, non-judgmental space for you to process your emotions. Some people also benefit from grief support groups or additional supportive services alongside individual counseling.
After a loss, it can feel like your whole world has been turned upside down. Counseling helps you find your footing again. Grief counselors help you develop coping strategies, express emotions safely, and rebuild a sense of purpose at your own pace. We believe that healing is possible and that you can find a way to live a full and meaningful life, even in the midst of your pain.
