Which type of grief is characterized by extreme emotional distress that exceeds normal grief responses, often resulting in maladaptive behavior?

The correct answer is characterized by a situation where emotional responses to loss are intensified beyond what is typically expected. This type of grief manifests as overwhelming sorrow and distress, which can interfere with an individual's ability to function in daily life. Such extreme emotional responses often lead to maladaptive behaviors, such as substance abuse or social withdrawal, as the individual struggles to cope with their profound feelings of loss.

In comparison, chronic grief generally refers to a long-lasting and persistent form of grief that may not demonstrate the acute upset commonly found in exaggerated grief reactions but can still cause significant distress over time. Delayed grief indicates that the expression of grief occurs much later, often when circumstances are more suitable for processing emotions, while masked grief involves the individual concealing their pain or grief symptoms, possibly manifesting them in other ways. These distinctions help clarify why exaggerated grief reaction is the most accurate description of the type of grief that is marked by excessive emotional distress beyond the typical grieving process.