Which term describes a reaction to grief that is identified as experiencing grief symptoms without recognizing their source?

Masked grief refers to a situation where individuals exhibit symptoms associated with grief, such as sadness, anger, or anxiety, but do not consciously acknowledge the root cause of their feelings. This can occur for various reasons, including the desire to avoid dealing with pain or trauma, social stigma, or the complexity of emotions involved. Because they are unaware of the underlying source, their expressions of grief can manifest in ways that seem unrelated to loss, leading to confusion and potentially complicating their healing process.

For instance, someone may feel irritable or depressed without understanding that these emotions stem from grief over a loved one's death. This reaction can hinder their ability to process the loss and engage in healthy coping mechanisms, as they may misattribute their feelings to other aspects of life, such as stress at work or relationship issues, rather than recognizing the need to address their grief directly.