Home > Encyclopedia of Psychology > Loss and Grief

Loss, a state of being without, is usually accompanied by grief, which is an emotional state of intense sadness and a reaction to the disruption of attachment.

There are many kinds of loss and each has its own kind of grief. People lose loved ones like spouses, partners, children, family members, and friends. Even pet losses can cause grief. Job or property loss can be painful. Mourning is the conventional cultural behavior for those experiencing a loss. Grief reactions are those personal reactions to a loss, independent of expected cultural standards.

The emotional process of grieving

Everyone's grief is personalized, although most people share many of the same feelings. There is no order or schedule to grieving. The process may take a few days or years. Grieving that goes on and on, such a chronic grieving resulting in severe