Grief is an essential time to go through after the loss of a loved one. Although death is not a topic we like to talk about, grief should be taken seriously and being aware of the symptoms that appear could help you and your family to go through this stage with greater peace of mind and emotional balance.

Psychologist Alejandra León, a specialist in grief counseling, addresses the most common types of grief and describes situations that may be familiar to you if you are experiencing a loss.

If you identify with one of them, be aware of it so that you know the reasons why your emotions are the way they are. If you see that the time of mourning is too long, ask for a medical consultation so that you have professional support and your journey is not more painful.

Anticipated duel. It often happens when someone close to us is terminally ill or in a state of health from which we know they will not recover. Grief occurs early because we emotionally prepare for the loss.

Unresolved grief. This is a situation that lasts longer than normal. If after a loss and two years have passed, you still feel that you have not recovered emotionally, the grief you are facing is still not resolved. You should seek support from a psychology professional.

Absent grief. One of the stages of losing a loved one is denying that they have passed away. Absent grief is that same denial over a prolonged period, it is the non-acceptance of death and the attempt to continue with life as if nothing had happened.

Chronic or pathological grief. This type of grief is evident when a person prefers to constantly remember the deceased, talking about them constantly and as if they were still alive. It is a type of grief that can last for years and requires professional support, as it is not only difficult for the person suffering from it, but also for their family and loved ones.

Delayed grief. This happens to people who are very emotionally strong or want to appear strong in front of their other family members. Those who must face this type of grief are generally the family members who bear the greatest responsibilities at home. They must appear strong, but after a while this accumulation of emotions ends up coming out and showing that they have not gone through the natural grieving process.

Inhibited grief. It is a type of grief faced by people who find it difficult to express their emotions or externalize what they feel. This type of grief can cause physical difficulties because the body ends up somatizing this inability to express. If you have suffered a loss and you have a family member who finds it difficult to cry, for example, it is important that you pay attention to them because this is not a form of defense of the body and what is happening to them is completely unconscious.

Unauthorized duel. It is common for some people to overcome the stages of grief faster than others. However, if a family member or loved one takes longer, try not to make them feel judged for it. This type of grief occurs when a family group has managed to overcome the loss collectively, but one of them continues to feel the absence. By feeling singled out, they refrain from expressing what they feel, generating an internal sense of guilt that should not arise.

Distorted duel. It occurs when, upon the occurrence of a loss, the pain is stronger in this person than in any other family member. It is possible that our family member is going through two griefs, one that occurred in the past and another recently. In this way, the recent grief is confused with the previous one and generates a doubly painful reaction.

Knowing what we have, what we feel and how we respond will undoubtedly help us to know how to react and how to deal with it in the best way. Remember, mental health is as important to look after and care for as physical health.