Ambiguous Loss

What do these circumstance have in common?

Divorce, retirement/sudden job loss, chronic illness, addiction, unexpected move, anticipatory grief, anticipating children going off to college. They all fall under the umbrella of what has been referred to as ambiguous loss. Regarding chronic illness one definition states:

“Ambiguous loss differs from ordinary loss in that there is no verification of death or no certainty that the person will come back or return to the way they used to be”

https://www.ambiguousloss.com/about/

Many others have sought to define what to call other types of losses. See:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/soulbroken/202305/what-is-ambiguous-grief-and-how-to-begin-healing#:~:text=But%20what%20about%20loss%20that,dear%20friend%20to%20mental%20illness.

Ambiguous grief findings: https://www.ambiguousgrief.com/findings/

More on anticipatory grief acceptance:

https://www.agingcare.com/articles/grieving-before-death-terminally-ill-116037.htm

Tips for coping apply the same as in grief. It is important to give yourself time, support, and space to experience the feelings. If you are struggling to cope with the changes, please seek the support of an experienced therapist for more guidance.

For more tips see: https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/coping-with-ambiguous-grief