"You will not 'get over' the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it."
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, psychiatrist and author
Adult Sibling Loss: Psychological Responses
Losing a sibling unleashes a myriad of emotions including disbelief, fear of mortality, and loneliness. After a loss, adult siblings have to grapple with the absence of one of their initial support systems in life. As a result, they have long-term grief responses and undergo complex transformations that enhance feelings of vulnerability and isolation.
Sibling loss can be impacted by the invalidation of friends and family which complicates the grieving process. When sibling loss goes unrecognized, it leads to strained relationships and isolation because siblings may feel disappointment and anger towards the social supports they expected would understand them most. Due to their low placement in the grief hierarchy, sibling needs are often neglected leaving them to feel disenfranchised and resentful.
