The Unquiet Bones

by Loreth Anne White

“This physical and psychological exhaustion is completely normal. When a loved one disappears, either in body or—in some cases, as with dementia—in mind, it can be the most stressful type of loss. A type that lacks answers. Unclear, indeterminate. No boundaries or resolution. It manifests in ways similar to post-traumatic stress disorder. And you’re all correct, it’s not properly acknowledged by society in general. As you’ve all noted, there’s this perception that the world is moving on, yet you are unable to move with it, and this creates feelings of dissonance and isolation. Which is why groups like this are important. To share. To know we are not alone. It really does help to identify with others who understand what you’re going through. And it’s important to know this type of loss has a name. Ambiguous loss. Or grief limbo.”