What is the term for a person’s emotional reaction to loss or change?

The term for a person’s emotional reaction to loss or change is grief. Grief encompasses a wide range of emotions, including sadness, anger, confusion, and despair, that arise in response to losing someone or something significant. This emotional response can be triggered by various changes, such as the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or any significant life transition that evokes feelings of loss.

Grief is a natural and necessary process that allows individuals to process their feelings and begin to cope with their loss. It is often not linear, meaning that people may experience emotions in a fluctuating manner over time. Understanding grief is crucial for providing support to those who are mourning, as it reflects their deep emotional struggle as they adjust to a new reality without what they have lost.

In contrast, the other terms like healing, resolution, and acceptance represent stages or outcomes related to dealing with grief rather than the initial emotional reaction itself. Healing suggests a process of recovery, resolution pertains to finding closure or answers, and acceptance signifies a level of coming to terms with the loss, all of which occur after grief has been experienced.