Which of the following is NOT a typical symptom of disenfranchised grief?

• A. Depression
• B. Social isolation
• C. Increased appetite
• D. Insomnia

Answer: (C)

Disenfranchised grief is a bereavement reaction that isn’t openly acknowledged or supported by others, so the person may grieve in isolation or with less social validation. Yet the emotional and behavioral responses tend to align with typical mourning patterns: persistent sadness or hopelessness, withdrawal from social activities, and sleep disturbances like insomnia. These symptoms reflect the core impact of the loss on mood, energy, and daily functioning, which are common across many forms of grief.

Having an increased appetite does not fit this typical grief pattern. Loss-related distress more often shows up as reduced appetite or weight changes, fatigue, and trouble sleeping rather than a heightened drive to eat. So while appetite can vary for some individuals, an increased appetite is not a characteristic symptom of disenfranchised grief, making it the outlier among the options.