Research into 10 common types of sadness

This post was developed through a partnership with BetterHelp.

Grief is a universal human experience that often accompanies loss, such as the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or a major life change. Although grief is often associated with grief, it can manifest itself in different ways and affect people in different ways. In this article we explore grief and take a closer look at 10 different types of grief that people can experience throughout their lives.

What is sadness?

Grief is a natural response to loss. It encompasses a wide range of emotions, thoughts and behaviors. It is a complex and highly personal process that can affect every part of a person’s life, including their physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.

Common symptoms of grief include:

• Fury
• Sadness
• Debt
• Fatigue
• Denial
• Sleep changes
• Headache
• Nausea
• Stomach complaints
• Changes in appetite
• Hopelessness
• Difficulty focusing
• And more

How sadness manifests can depend on the type of sadness a person experiences.

10 types of sadness

Here are 10 of the most common types of grief.

1. Anticipatory sadness – Anticipatory grief occurs before the actual loss, usually when a person is confronted with the impending death of a loved one due to terminal illness or old age. It involves preventive mourning and psychological preparation for the inevitable loss.
2. Abbreviated sadness – Abbreviated grief is characterized by a short and intense period of mourning, which often occurs in situations where the loss is abrupt or unexpected. It may not follow the typical stages of grief and can feel overwhelming and disorienting.
3. Delayed grief – Delayed grief refers to a delayed or suppressed response to loss, where the grieving process is significantly slowed or inhibited. It can surface weeks, months, or even years after the initial loss.
4. Inhibited sadness – Inhibited sadness occurs when people have difficulty expressing or processing their emotions openly. They may suppress their feelings or appear stoic on the surface. However, they may still experience internal anxiety and fear.
5. Cumulative sadness – Cumulative grief occurs when individuals experience multiple losses in a relatively short period of time, leading to a compounded sense of sadness, stress, and overwhelm. It can be challenging to fully grieve any loss during ongoing grief.
6. Collective sadness – Collective grief refers to the shared grief that a group or community experiences in response to widespread tragedy or loss, such as natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or pandemics. It can promote a sense of solidarity and collective healing.
7. Absent sadness – Absent grief occurs when individuals do not acknowledge or process their emotions surrounding a loss, often due to denial, dissociation, or emotional numbness. They may seem distant or indifferent, but may have unresolved grief beneath the surface.
8. Ambiguous loss – Ambiguous loss occurs when individuals experience an unclear, undefined, or unresolved loss, such as in cases of missing persons, dementia, or adoption. It creates uncertainty and complexity in the grieving process because there is no clear endpoint or closure.
9. Disenfranchised grief – Disenfranchised grief occurs when a person’s loss is not recognized or validated by society, which can lead to shame and isolation during the grieving process. A common example is losing a pet. For more information about pet loss and how to deal with it, check out this resource: https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/grief/coping-with-pet-bereavement/.
10. Sudden loss – Sudden loss or an unexpected event resulting in the abrupt death or disappearance of a loved one. It can destroy a person’s sense of security and stability, leaving him or her with shock, disbelief, and deep sadness.

How to get through sadness

Grief is an individual experience and no one’s process is identical. It’s important to give yourself time and patience as you navigate the waves of grief. Be sure to reach out for support from those around you, and consider therapy if the grief is overwhelming or too difficult to handle alone.