Loss and Grief
Loss, as explained by Walsh (9), can either be tangible or intangible. Unlike tangible loss such as death, intangible losses like loss of a job, placement in foster care and divorce are rarely acknowledged. Therefore, individuals’ grieving symbolic losses are less likely to get enough support, as they may not be identified. Understanding that loss, both tangible and symbolic, engender grief reactions is crucial because it eliminates confusion concerning grief reactions.
The process of grieving is work (Lemming and George 469), and the bereaved is required to attend to it faithfully since successful grief resolution does not come automatically. The work involves four tasks: accepting that the loss is real; allowing oneself to experience the pain of grief; adjusting to the environment in which the loss has happened, and withdrawing emotional energy and putting it into other relationships. To support grievers, one can talk about the loss or the deceased while encouraging the griever to conceptualize the loss. This gives the griever the feeling that he is understood and is he is not on his own. As demonstrated in the movie “Lars and the Real Girl,” lack of acknowledgement of loss can cause delusion. Unresolved grief affects relationships, and if one takes many years before dealing with a loss, he or she is more likely to experience difficulties forming relationships. Also, the problem is expected to affect many other aspects of one’s life. However, with care and support from family and community combined with therapy, one can deal appropriately with unresolved grief. The earlier one realizes that he or she has unresolved grief, the better.
Works Cited
Walsh, Katherine. Grief and Loss.Pearson, 2011. Print.
Leming, Michael and Dickinson, George. Understanding dying, death and bereavement. Harcourt Brace College, 2011.
Oliver, Nancy. Lars and the Real Girl. Directed by Craig Gillespie, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 16 September 2007