What is 'incomplete grief'?

Incomplete grief refers to a situation where the process of grieving is disrupted or hindered by external circumstances. This can occur when the mourner faces barriers that prevent them from fully experiencing or expressing their emotions related to the loss. Such obstacles might include societal expectations, a lack of support from family or friends, or the necessity to quickly return to responsibilities after a loss. When these external factors interfere, individuals may not be able to process their grief in a healthy and complete manner, leading to unresolved feelings and prolonged mourning.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately capture the essence of incomplete grief. For example, the notion of a lack of emotional response does not inherently signify that grief is incomplete; some individuals may experience profound feelings even if they do not express them outwardly. Similarly, grief caused by sudden events or discussing the loss openly can occur in healthy grieving processes and do not illustrate the concept of interference that defines incomplete grief.