• Ambiguous Losses

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    Ambiguous loss, a term coined by psychology expert , refers to a type of grief that lacks clear resolution or closure. This concept can be divided into two types: physical absence with psychological presence (e.g., a loved one who is missing) and physical presence with psychological absence (e.g., a loved one with dementia).

    Several podcasts explore this topic in depth:

    1. Esther Perel on The Diary Of A CEO:

      • Esther Perel discusses how modern distractions like phone addiction lead to emotional absence in relationships, causing ambiguous loss where partners are physically present but emotionally detached 1.
    2. Pauline Boss on On Being with Krista Tippett:

    3. Jordan Harbinger Show:

      • In a conversation on coping with breakups, Gabriel Mizrahi explains how ambiguous loss manifests in relationships lacking clear closure, emphasizing the need to accept the ambiguity to move forward 5.

    These discussions underscore the multifaceted nature of ambiguous loss, impacting personal relationships, societal interactions, and emotional well-being across various contexts.

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