Altered Grieving

Anticipatory Grieving
Dysfunctional Grieving
Anticipatory Grief
Anticipatory grief is similar to the
normal process of mourning, but it
occurs before the actual death (in
anticipation of the death).
What are the different phases of
anticipatory grief?
Anticipatory grief may include the
following phases, though not
exclusively in this order. Grief is often
an expression which includes each of
these phases or stages in multiple
times, intensities, and orders.
Phase I
In this stage, an individual realizes
that death is inevitable and there is
no expectation for a cure.

Sadness and depression are often

associated with this first stage of
grief.
Phase II

This phase of anticipatory grief is

concern for the dying person.

Family members may regret

arguments or disciplining the dying
child..
Phase III

In this phase, the actual death may

be "rehearsed."

The physical process of death and

what may happen after death are
concerns in this phase.
Phase IV
In the last phase, loved ones may be
imagining what their lives are going to be
like without the person that is dying.

Parents may be thinking about the unused

toys left behind, missed proms and
birthdays, or even what they are going to
tell the child's teachers when school is
missed.
Dysfunctional grieving
Dysfunctional grief is outside the normal
response range and may be manifested
as exaggerated grief, prolong grief, or
absence of grief.
May be stuck in one stage of grief
Grief is extended, unsuccessful use of
intellectual and emotional responses by
which individuals attempt to work through
the process of modification
Assessment

Note severity of symptoms

Patterns over time
Compare to normal pattern
Identify risk
Physical and psychosocial
Dysfunctional identification
Physical signs and symptoms
NDX

Anticipatory grieving
Dysfunctional grieving
Outcomes

The client will move toward

resolution of diverse emotions
The client will accept the reality of
the loss
The client will reinvest emotional and
physical energy into meaningful
activities
Interventions

Client teaching
Loss education
Grief stages
Working through
Support groups
Referrals