Delayed grief
Encyclopedia
The terms delayed grief and unresolved grief are variations of grieving
after a loss. The meaning of unresolved grief is any aspect of grieving that has yet to be resolved.
In cases of delayed grief, the reaction to the loss is postponed until a later time, even years later, and might be triggered by a seemingly unrelated event, such as a recent divorce
or even the death of a pet, but with reactions excessive to the current situation.
The delayed grief might manifest as any of the reactions in normal grief: pangs of intense yearning, spasms of distress, short bouts of hysterical laughter, tearful or uncontrolled sobbing, feeling of hopelessness, restlessness, insomnia
, preoccupation with thoughts about the loved one, extreme and unexplained anger, or general feelings of depression
. In extreme cases reaction may invoke suicidal tendencies.
The term "delayed grief" is also used to describe a pattern in which symptoms of distress, seeking, yearning (etc.), are occurring at a much later time period than is typical.
Delayed grief refers to any reaction that occurs later than usual, as a delayed onset of symptoms.
Contrast to the term "complicated grief" as meaning a form of grieving that spans years (see full description at: Grief
).
Grief
Grief is a multi-faceted response to loss, particularly to the loss of someone or something to which a bond was formed. Although conventionally focused on the emotional response to loss, it also has physical, cognitive, behavioral, social, and philosophical dimensions...
after a loss. The meaning of unresolved grief is any aspect of grieving that has yet to be resolved.
In cases of delayed grief, the reaction to the loss is postponed until a later time, even years later, and might be triggered by a seemingly unrelated event, such as a recent divorce
or even the death of a pet, but with reactions excessive to the current situation.
The delayed grief might manifest as any of the reactions in normal grief: pangs of intense yearning, spasms of distress, short bouts of hysterical laughter, tearful or uncontrolled sobbing, feeling of hopelessness, restlessness, insomnia
Insomnia
Insomnia is most often defined by an individual's report of sleeping difficulties. While the term is sometimes used in sleep literature to describe a disorder demonstrated by polysomnographic evidence of disturbed sleep, insomnia is often defined as a positive response to either of two questions:...
, preoccupation with thoughts about the loved one, extreme and unexplained anger, or general feelings of depression
Depression (mood)
Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's thoughts, behaviour, feelings and physical well-being. Depressed people may feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, helpless, worthless, guilty, irritable, or restless...
. In extreme cases reaction may invoke suicidal tendencies.
The term "delayed grief" is also used to describe a pattern in which symptoms of distress, seeking, yearning (etc.), are occurring at a much later time period than is typical.
Delayed grief refers to any reaction that occurs later than usual, as a delayed onset of symptoms.
Contrast to the term "complicated grief" as meaning a form of grieving that spans years (see full description at: Grief
Grief
Grief is a multi-faceted response to loss, particularly to the loss of someone or something to which a bond was formed. Although conventionally focused on the emotional response to loss, it also has physical, cognitive, behavioral, social, and philosophical dimensions...
).