<P> A physical ambiguous loss means that the body of a loved one is no longer around, such as a missing person or unrecovered body from war, but is still remembered psychologically due to the chance of coming back, for example in missing person cases . A physical ambiguous loss can occur across generations, such as the families of victims of the holocaust, and can cause as traumatic distress as Posttraumatic stress disorder . </P> <P> The second type of ambiguous loss is where a person is still physically there, but is psychologically absent . This happens in cases where the brain is affected, therefore affecting the behavior or well being of the individual . Psychological ambiguous loss does not just occur to family and friends of the person affected . Psychological loss can happen personally in terms of one losing sense of who they are . This can stem from having a traumatic brain injury and not knowing who they are, causing a lost feeling and uncertain identity issues . </P> <P> The grieving process for an ambiguous loss differs from regular mourning in unable to gain closure due to unresolved grief . In cases of a psychological ambiguous loss, the grieving process can be especially difficult because of the inability to accept or admit that there is a problem and cannot confront their situation in the first place in order to deal with the problem . One key factor in getting over an ambiguous loss is resilience . In the normal grieving process, people obtain closure after dealing with a loss . In an ambiguous loss, closure does not exist, and should not be sought after in this case . </P> <P> Resilience and hope are important in the case of an ambiguous loss because paired together, they are able to allow the individual to come to terms with the loss and continue moving forward in life . Some ways to tell that one is resilient in a case with ambiguous loss is actively seek out help when they know it is needed . Uncontrollable factors such as culture, age, socioeconomic status, and genetics are all factors that contribute to resilience . Trauma and ambiguous loss often co-exist together and if the trauma is not dealt with it can trigger unresolved emotions . Therapy will address a case of ambiguous loss by restoring resilience, and reconnecting with the loss and the relationship with whom the loss is associated . </P>

The following is an example of ambiguous loss