What type of grief describes the symptoms and behaviors of an individual who does not recognize their connection to the loss?

Masked grief refers to a situation where individuals exhibit symptoms of grief without acknowledging or recognizing the underlying connection to their loss. This can manifest in various behaviors, such as emotional numbness, irritability, or engagement in risky activities, while the person remains unaware or in denial about their true feelings related to the loss.

The term highlights how those experiencing masked grief may express their pain indirectly or express it in ways that do not outwardly connect to their grief. For instance, someone might display anger or anxiety but fail to recognize that these emotions are responses to their grief. This disconnect can make it difficult for them to process their emotions fully and seek support.

In contrast, chronic grief involves prolonged and intense grief that significantly affects an individual's daily functioning, whereas delayed grief occurs when grief is experienced much later than the loss itself, often due to a person's inability to confront their feelings right away. Exaggerated grief reactions characterize extreme responses to grief, where feelings may be so intense that they disrupt daily life significantly.