Symbolic loss and actual death are the two types of losses people experience in life. This paper explains the difference between the two types of losses and how people respond to them. It starts with an introduction and proceeds to provide details about symbolic loss and actual death and finally a conclusion.

Symbolic loss and actual death are the two types of losses people experience in life. The symbolic loss is related to the loss people experience yet it is not tangible. The actual death involves the demise of a person. The two types of loss are different and people respond to them differently when they occur. It is important for a person to understand the difference and understand how people respond to them.

According to Walsh (2011) symbolic loss is the kind of loss that is not tangible through death while actual death is the demise a person. When people experience divorce, move away from their families, lose their jobs, lose wealth and property or experience chronic pain, they are going through a symbolic loss (Walsh, 2011). The loss involves grieving, but it is different from the actual death of losing someone. There is a significant difference between the symbolic loss and actual death regarding how the society responds to each of them. Scholars have focused on researching on the actual death since it is dominant in the society. However, developments in the research world have discovered it is important to study and understand symbolic loss.

The symbolic loss is not treated in the same way as actual death. First, a person experiencing a symbolic loss such as the loss of a job will not receive the same kind of support like a person who is bereaved (Walsh, 2011). The reason is that symbolic loss is rarely identified by the griever or other people. The symbolic loss may receive less attention but it can cause great grief. A good example is when a person gets involved in a car accident they lose their car, they lose their health, they get bed ridden and finally live in a wheelchair. Similarly, when a person gets a divorce they may experience loss of a spouse, loss of their surname, loss of a life partner or end up bringing children as a single parent (Mitchell, 2017). Such a loss may be imaginable and may lead to loss of sleep, depression or loss of weight. Symbolic loss of such magnitude may be similar to actual death, although it is different.

People working in healthcare centers have identified symbolic loss to comprise characteristics similar to actual death. A person working in a dialysis center will testify that patients who come for dialysis due to kidney failure express denial, pain, fear, anger, and sadness just like a person who is bereaved (Mitchell, 2017). It is important to study the concept of symbolic loss since many people going through it never appreciate they are at a loss. When a professional explains to the clients on the type of loss they are going through, it becomes easy for them to experience healing and recovery. A health professional who understands the concept of symbolic loss can help minimize its severity of the loss on patients. The first step is to explain to the person who is about the encounter the pain or frustration on what they should expect and how to respond (Walsh, 2011). A good example is when people are counseled before they are given the results of their HIV/AIDs results. Another example is when children are prepared psychologically when they are going to the hospital to see a sick parent who cannot recognize them.

The symbolic loss and actual death both affect people at varying levels of severity. As a healthcare professional it is important to understand their difference. People tend to overlook the symbolic loss yet it has an effect on their health. When people get information about the two types of losses, they can respond to them appropriately.