MMG13: Types of Grief: Absent Grief

MMG13: Types of Grief: Absent Grief 

Intro

I’m glad you chose to join me for this discussion on Absent Grief. At the end of the show I’ll have a “So, what to do?” section where I’ll share ideas and strategies you can use to work through Absent Grief. 

So, what is absent grief? I like Jennifer Kopf’s definition of absent grief that she wrote in an article on TheRecoveryVillage.com. She shares that “Absent grief refers to a prolonged state of denial when a person cannot even acknowledge a loss. It can also describe an unusually long period in which a person reacts as if nothing has changed even if they can acknowledge a loss intellectually.”

[My experience with absent grief.] 

So, what to do? 

1.      You must intentionally process the loss. 

2.      Acknowledge the feelings you do have when they arise. 

3.      Write them a letter to help with identifying your thoughts and feelings. 

4.      Think about a past memory and embrace the joy you experienced.

5.      Focus on being thankful for the time you were able to have with the person. 

6.      Seeking support from a Mental Health Therapist to help work through absent grief. Go to Psychology Today to find a Therapist in your area. 

To connect with me to share your thoughts or to provide suggestions for a future show, contact me at MissDilworth.com. 

To learn more about grief, click on another show. To attend a grief workshop, go to ManagingMyGrief.net

Have a productive day and live in your greatness. 

Resources: https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/mental-health/grief/#gref