5 Types of Loss

necessary losses

Losses that are replaced by something different or better, natural and positive part of life. Examples: child leaves home to go to college, leaving behind family and friends to go on and make new friends and begin a career

situational loss

loss occurring from unpredictable life event, that usually creates many other losses example: divorce creates loss of spouse, home, financial assistance, less time with children losing a job, creates loss of income, loss of self esteem for bread winner, stress, loss of home perhaps, loss of time with family and friends if person must take two lower paying jobs to supplement income

maturational loss

losses from going through life with normal developmental process. Example: stay at home mom experiencing child going to school for first time. Widowed parents only child getting married

actual loss

losses when one can no longer touch, hear, see or have near them the person or object, people feel grief when a valued object becomes worn out, lost, stolen, or ruined by disaster Examples; body part, pet, friend, life partner, job

perceived loss

a uniquely experienced loss by the grieving person and often less obvious to others. The loss is very real to the griever. Examples: 4.0 students attending nursing school and receiving a much lower letter grade than they are used to, due to grading scale. Or a child feeling less loved by her parents and experiences a loss of self esteem