Ambiguous loss, a term coined by Dr. Pauline Boss, describes a type of grief that occurs without clear resolution or closure. It often involves situations where loved ones are physically present yet emotionally absent, such as with dementia, or when someone is physically absent but still alive, like in cases of estrangement. This form of grief creates confusion and emotional limbo, as traditional stages of grief do not apply. Without acknowledgment or support from others, individuals dealing with ambiguous loss may internalize blame, complicating their healing process, which requires self-kindness and acceptance of uncertainty.
When a loved one dies, grief typically progresses through recognizable stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. But with ambiguous loss, that emotional roadmap vanishes.
Ambiguous loss occurs when a loved one is physically present but psychologically absent, or when someone is physically gone but still alive. The grieving process is interrupted.
Healing takes self-kindness, connection, and acceptance that closure may never come, emphasizing the importance of navigating emotional complexities surrounding unresolved grief.
This painful loss is rarely acknowledged by others, often leaving individuals without the support they would receive in more conventional grief situations.
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