Studying the main principles of symbolic loss is especially significant for understanding human grief. Many authors have stated the importance of acknowledging symbolic losses and the consequences that are caused by such occurrences (Harris, 2017). Even though symbolic loss is exceptionally different from the actual one, it is still essential to underline the meaning of this phenomenon. This essay will provide a short overview of different symbolic losses and address symbolic and real losses’ main distinctions.
Losing a significant person or an environment can often be detrimental to a person’s mental health. Walsh (2011) stated that many types of symbolic losses are often unacknowledged, such as the loss of identity during transitional events in life. These kinds of losses commonly manifest when a person moves to an unknown area (Walsh, 2011). Other types of symbolic losses may occur due to health-related reasons, such as losing the ability to walk or speak as a result of an illness (Walsh, 2011). Losing a particular capability or a part of one’s health can induce feelings of grief, leading to various mental health issues.
Evaluating the time can sometimes be of great help for the counseling process. Walsh (2011) outlines the need to acknowledge the loss transpiring in different life stages. Some individuals might experience symbolic loss during childhood, adolescence, and older age (Walsh, 2011). Moreover, figurative loss often happens to foster children, and the unrecognized occurrence of such phenomena leads to devastating consequences (Walsh, 2011). Overall, addressing the variety of symbolic losses and their influence on people’s lives is a critical step towards resolving this issue.
It is essential to outline the main distinction between symbolic and actual loss. Actual death is always connected to a particular event, thus being much more evident and higher acknowledged by people (Mitchell, 2018). In symbolic loss cases, its presence might be unnoticed, further deteriorating the individual’s health (Mitchell, 2018). Understanding the significance of symbolic loss and addressing it should be of high importance for medical professionals.
In conclusion, various types of symbolic loss were discussed in this essay. Even though losing only a part of one’s life can be considered non-remarkable, it is exceptionally vital not to underestimate the significance of such details for the individual in question. Importantly, recognizing symbolic losses and helping the people affected to overcome them is crucial for achieving a better mental state for different populations.
References
Harris, H. (2017). Doka, K. J. (2016). Grief is a journey: Finding your path through loss. [Review of the book Grief is a journey: Finding your path through loss, by K. Doka]. Journal of Death and Dying, 75(2), 207–209. Web.
Mitchell, M. B. (2018). “No one acknowledged my loss and hurt”: Non-death loss, grief, and trauma in foster care. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 35(1), 1–9. Web.
Walsh, K. (2011). Grief and loss: Theories and skills for the helping professions (2nd edition). Pearson.