In our Ambiguous Loss Survey (2024), we explored the emotional, physical and behavioural impacts of grief associated with ambiguous loss. This page highlights the experiences of the 183 participants. 
We found that emotional responses vary depending on the type of ambiguous loss, so we were aware we would get a wide range of experiences in the survey. We asked participants to rate their emotions in terms of intensity, with ‘none’ also as an option.

43% (79) of respondents said they felt suicidal (mild-severe) as a result of their ambiguous loss.

EMOTIONAL

We discovered overall that the highest ranking emotional experiences felt (strong-severe) were sadness (72%), stress (63%), helplessness (56%), longing (56%) and loneliness (53%). 34% rated ‘severe’ for longing. Whereas the lowest ranking emotional experiences (mild-moderate) were guilt (57%), ambivalence (53%), blame (52%), depression (52%) and anger (51%). 
“It is disorienting with a broad range of emotions - anger, resentment, deep deep sadness.
I feel frozen and stuck in this liminal space. I try to find moments of joy and being present -
and sometimes I am successful. But I am often overcome by intense sadness.”
​~ Survey participant 2024
"Deep sadness, longing, daily hope of change and then despair. Rage. Angry with the world. Feeling ashamed of my feelings. No one understanding how I feel. Feeling very alone.”
​~ Survey participant 2024

PHYSICAL

We asked participants to identify the physical symptoms of their ambiguous loss. 1,209 answers were recorded by 183 people. The most common were:
83% experience fatigue
72% are tearful and cry
66% have a lack of energy
64% experience insomnia
57% have muscle tension
“Difficulties in motivating myself to do things. Inertia in all aspects of my life due to a feeling of overwhelm caused by the pain of the experience. I find it hard to maintain contact with my friends who I don't see face to face because I don't have the energy or desire to write emails or have phone calls.”
​~ Survey participant 2024

BEHAVIOURAL

Participants were asked what their behavioural responses are or were to their ambiguous loss. 903 behavioural responses were recorded.  The most common were:
70% socially withdraw
64% experience changes to sleep
60% have a preoccupation of the loss
60% isolate themselves
50% avoid places or reminders of the loss
"Isolating. Feeling like the world continues around your grief but can't see it and therefore doesn't want to hear about it. Feels like there's a countdown on the compassion from others that runs out very quickly and once that's past, it’s no longer OK to talk about the suffering and hurt without being considered an energy vampire, leaving one with no option but to keep it all in and paint on mask every day.”
​~ Survey participant 2024

NEED SUPPORT?

Grief can have huge impacts on our health and wellbeing. Exploring and expressing your grief in a safe environment with a qualified trauma-informed Therapist can help you make sense of your symptoms of ambiguous loss.
“Ambiguous loss can freeze the grief process. People can't get over it, they can't move forward, they're frozen in place.”
~ Pauline Boss