Is it possible to grieve the loss of a loved one BEFORE you lose them?

Answer 1

Yes it is. There are few things worse than seeing a loved one suffer through a terminal illness.

Answer 2

For sure. In a number of ways.

A person might be sick or dying and you are already mourning their loss, thinking about what their loss will mean to you.

Another way is to be in a relationship, for example, and feel that the other person is eventually going to realize that you're not so great and they're going to up and leave you. So in a sense you are already grieving for them and they haven't even left yet. They might not even want to leave, but your continual depression about the breakup you imagine will lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy.

In both cases it is hard not to do, but such feelings should be overcome. Appreciate the person while they are there in your life. There will be far too much time later on to mourn the loss - enjoy the time you have with the person. Live each day with them and put as much into it as possible. You won't regret it.

Answer 3

Yes it is so possible. My ex and I lost a child. We knew nearly five weeks before the birth that he was already gone and learned first hand how to grieve while unknowing people were still congratulating us. Our tragic early tale made me better prepared for hospice with our parents, his mother and my father one right after the other. There is no rule for grief only a warning that postponing it will make it tend towards violence.

Answer 4

my grandmother is not long for this world and I have already gone through the stages of denial, anger and bargaining. When she passes I am sure I will be depressed then finally accept she is gone...Alzheimer's is a hard disease to deal with though. I think you kinda have to start grieving the loss before it happens in those cases or you will drive yourself crazy.

Answer 5

yes.. you can think about the loss and how badly it makes you feel and actually grieve without having lost them....

it might even help get you through the actual loss when the time fianlly comes cuz you've worked a little of it through....

Answer 6

I think you can grieve from the thought of losing them.

Answer 7

Yes, especially if they're terminally ill and you know they're going to die sooner or later. It'll cause you to start reminiscing about all the fun thing's you've done together and how you'll miss that, after they're gone. If you're expecting a loss, I am truely sorry.

Answer 8

Definitely. It's called 'Bereavement.' It's the anticipation of the loss and our minds trying to get ready for it. Loss is so sad, but feeling the pain actually helps us to get through it and heal.

Answer 9

Hi Jennifer,

I think if you are greiveing a loved one and they are not gone yet that may call for some help.But at the same time it may also depend if that person is really sick, really old.
Krista

Answer 10

when you feel that you are going to lose somebody because of sumthing that happened that the other person also knows you can defanitely feel that the other person distancing thamself which will be a loss!