Unrecognised or disenfranchised grief

Would you know if someone close to you had a significant loss? Most people would confidently reply “Yes!” We generally expect to recognise the grief of family and friends. However, many major losses and the grief that follows can remain hidden from others or unacknowledged. There is a name to describe this situation – disenfranchised grief.

How Does This Happen?

Disenfranchised grief can happen in many ways:

When A Relationship Is Not Recognised

Unrecognised relationships can include those with friends, neighbours, foster parents, work colleagues, step-relations, counsellors and helpers, ex-spouses, unmarried partners, LGBTIQ partners, or a secret love.

The grief experienced due to the death of a person in one of these relationships may be not seen as significant or be completely overlooked by other people.

Even the death of a public figure with whom there is no personal relationship can result in a strong grief reaction.

When A Death Or Loss Is Not Regarded As Significant

Certain types of deaths – such as the death of an estranged child, or family member miscarriage, stillbirth, termination of a pregnancy – either elective, or medical. The death or loss of a pet – may be seen as less significant than other losses that may be seen as more “important” and the grief that is felt may not be acknowledged or supported by others.

When Loss Happens Over A Long Period Of Time

When grief occurs over a long period of time, such as for people who have a chronic illness, are addicted to drugs, or who have a disability or dementia, it may be assumed that grief will be less when death actually occurs. This is not so – the grief people experience can be just as intense.

When A Death Is Difficult To Publicly Accept

The potential shame and embarrassment associated with some deaths may cause grieving people to avoid support or may cause them to be shunned by others. These might include deaths due to suicide, homicide, violent and accidental deaths, AIDS-related deaths, or the loss of someone who is missing but presumed dead.

When The Grieving Person Is Not Recognised

Some people may be considered “not capable” of grieving, and therefore are not recognised as grieving people. These may include children, old people, and those who have an intellectual disability.

When Grief Arises From Other Life Events

It may be thought that grief only follows a loss through death, but many other life events are associated with loss and may result in grief. Things like unemployment, migration, moving house, separation and divorce, illness or disability, and other significant changes can lead to feelings of loss and grief.

Some apparently positive life stages, such as marriage, a child’s beginning of school, graduation, adult children leaving home and retirement, may not be recognised as causes of loss and grief because we view these events as “normal”, however as individuals we each have different experiences of loss.

Coping And Supporting

Any unrecognised losses may result in a grief process which is more complicated. Professional counselling, therapy, or more active support group involvement may be required. Close family and friends can help in assessing the need for and accessing such assistance.

For those who are able to help, counsel or support, here are some useful points to remember:

  • identify and openly recognise the loss and grief which have remained hidden or which others have ignored – those grieving are likely to feel very much alone and unsupported
  • the usual rituals and activities which help the grief process, such as the funeral in the case of a death, may not be accessible or relevant – there may be other ways to help a person to express and act on their grief

If grief is unable to be shared with family or friends, remember confidential counselling is available through a GP or counsellor.

If you are on your own, be gentle with yourself.

Other resources

Beyond Blue

Beyond Blue provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health.

 

Palliative Care Victoria

Palliative Care Victoria works to ensure all people with a life limiting illness and their families are supported to live, die and grieve well.

 

Page last updated: 26 May, 2020

References

Doka, K. J. (1989) Disenfranchised grief: recognizing hidden sorrow. Lexington books