Silent grief refers to a particular reaction to loss. Losing a spouse, having a miscarriage and losing someone to a sudden and tragic event can sometimes lead to this type of grief reaction. Individuals who mourn in silence sometimes isolate themselves; deny that anything is wrong; and, in some cases, quietly suffer from feelings of shame and guilt.
Each individual deals with loss in his own way. Anger, bargaining, denial and depression are commonly observed reactions to loss. Finally coming to terms with a loss often requires going through some or all of these stages of the grieving process. An individual who grieves in silence may be stuck in a state of denial or quiet depression. Without discussing his loss or dealing with the underlying emotions associated with his grief, it is more difficult to reach the acceptance stage.
Silent grief is more common in certain circumstances. A child whose mother has committed suicide might suffer from silent grief, secretly blaming himself for his mother’s death. A woman who has suffered a miscarriage might grow quiet due to despair or the feeling that no one can relate to her loss. Individuals who lose a loved one as a result of a tragic accident or violence might endure emotional shock that leads to suffering in silence.
Some causes of silent grief are related to the way certain families and cultures approach the subject of loss. It may be that expressing sadness or holding on to negative, unresolved feelings toward the deceased is considered inappropriate. Family members might feel pressured to look and act happy and move on with life. In some cases, an unspoken time limit is placed on how long a person is allowed to mourn a loss.
Other factors that might perpetuate silent grief are pressures to replace the loved one. This might be in the form of marrying again, having another baby or filling up free time with activities that take the mind off of the loss. In some cases, this advice helps the mourner to move forward in life. In the case of unresolved feelings toward the deceased or the self, this approach is sometimes criticized as not addressing the real issues.
Experts often counsel those who have experienced a loss to talk about their feelings. Avoiding the subject and resorting to social isolation is generally considered an unhealthy way to deal with grief. Surrounding oneself with supportive and compassionate people who understand and are willing to listen is considered helpful. In cases in which these support systems do not exist, those dealing with silent grief are encouraged to seek professional counseling.