When we hear the word “grief,” our minds often go straight to the loss of a loved one through death. However, as Kevin Carter, LCSW-C,  psychotherapist specializing in grief, highlighted in a recent discussion, grief is far more expansive and underpins nearly every area of mental health. It’s a normal and natural response to any significant loss in our lives, extending well beyond physical death.

Consider these often-overlooked forms of grief:

Loss of Capacity

This can be anything from a physical injury limiting your ability to perform daily tasks, to a mental health challenge affecting your cognitive functions or emotional regulation. The “old you” is no longer accessible, and grieving that change is crucial.

Loss of Relationships

Beyond romantic breakups or family estrangements, this can include the dissolution of friendships, the departure of a colleague, or even shifts in family dynamics as children grow up and leave home.

Loss of Standing in Life

A job loss, a change in financial stability, or even a shift in social status can trigger a grieving process. You might grieve the identity, security, or future you once envisioned.

Grieving a Former Self

As we grow and evolve, we often shed past versions of ourselves. This personal growth, while positive, can involve grieving the person we once were, the dreams we held, or the familiar comfort of our past identity.

Miscarriage

The loss of a child through miscarriage is a deeply personal and often invisible grief. Many parents, particularly women, may struggle with whether they “have the right” to mourn this loss, leading to stifled emotions and profound internal suffering.

Moving Forward

Recognizing these diverse forms of loss is the first step towards acknowledging and processing our grief. As Kevin Carter emphasized, integrating the understanding that “loss and grief are normal and natural” can be truly transformative for our mental well-being. It allows us to move beyond the narrow confines of what society dictates as “acceptable” grief and embrace the full spectrum of our human experience.

Written By: Kevin Carter, LCSW-C

 

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(Please note: If you are in immediate danger or experiencing a crisis, call 988 / emergency services. This article provides general information and education only.)