Loss is an event that results in continual inaccessibility of an emotionally important figure. Loss does not have to be death, but it often can be. The experience of loss can be from events such as estrangement or separation via distance. Distance however is often helped with connecting events such as telephone calls, texting etc. Loss is often distressing, and in the case where loss is permanent (perceived or otherwise), there is likely to be pain and disorientation.
Loss can also be in relation to objects or concepts – not just people. A child can create an emotional investment in a blanket or teddy. An adult can create one with a political figure or celebrity. The loss of these things can create similar levels of distress (potentially even identical) to the loss of a real attachment. An individual can also experience loss of a community or group, such as losing their job or getting dropped from a sports team.
When understanding loss, It’s important to know that there is a difference in how loss is expressed depending on whether the loss was with an individual or a concept. If the loss was individual, the death of a wife for example, there is more pain but less disorientation. But if the loss is that of a marriage, then disorientation is higher. I don’t want to get too off track here but in that specific scenario , the disorientating effect of losing a relationship is often due to the breaking of reality that accompanies it. If your spouse dies they are “taken” from you, causing immense pain. But if the spouse leaves you for another individual, the betrayal shatters your reality and disorients you.
But even in the case of death there are contrasts. Parents of a murdered child are much more likely to feel immense rage and anger compared to the parents of a child who died after a long illness. The factors of every scenario must be taken into account, almost to the point of splitting hairs. Failure to do so risks an ineffective support and delayed healing.