Grief

Alternative names:

bereavement; grieving; mourning

Definition:

An unhappy and painful emotion caused by the loss of a loved person.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Grief refers to the emotions and feelings experienced after the loss of a loved one, usually through death, but also from ending a relationship. Everyone experiences grief in their own way ,but generally there are recognized stages to the process of mourning. It starts at the recognition of a loss and extends to the eventual acceptance of it. Responses will vary depending upon the circumstances associated with the death. For example, if the deceased suffered from a chronic illness, the death may have been anticipated, and may even come as a relief of suffering. If the death was accidental or violent, coming to a stage of acceptance may take longer.

Refusing to deal with the loss of a loved one, or being unable to face the loss, may cause an absent grief reaction. Grief not expressed openly comes out in other ways, such as physical symptoms or erratic behavior, or is displaced onto other persons.