What are the most common types of grief?

There are many types of grief, I will outline the ones I see most often.

• Normal grief: This is the most common type of grief and is characterised by a range of emotions: sadness; loneliness; anger or guilt. It is usually occurs after the death of a loved one (including a pet), but can also be experienced after other losses, such as the end of a relationship or the loss of a job.
• Anticipatory grief: This can be very difficult to cope with. This type of grief occurs when you know someone is dying from a terminal illness or severe mental problem. It can be just as difficult as normal grief and may even be more difficult because you have to come to terms with the loss before it happens.
• Complicated grief: This type of grief is severe and lasts longer than normal grief. It may be seen as intense anxiety, anger, or guilt. If you have complicated grief, you may have difficulty functioning in your daily life and may need grief counselling.
• Disenfranchised grief: This type of grief occurs when the loss is not socially acknowledged or supported. This can happen in cases of miscarriage, stillbirth, suicide, or the death of a much-loved pet. As a result, you may feel isolated and alone in your grief.
• Traumatic grief: This often occurs after a sudden, unexpected, or violent death. It can be very difficult to cope with, and you may experience flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts about the death. I would certainly recommend counselling for this.