Which term refers to an inhibited, suppressed, or postponed response to a loss that includes isolation from friends and family?

The term that best describes an inhibited, suppressed, or postponed response to a loss, along with feelings of isolation from friends and family, is "delayed grief." This concept recognizes that individuals often do not process their grief immediately following a loss, leading to a range of emotional and psychological responses that may surface much later.

Delayed grief can manifest as a result of various factors, such as the inability to confront the emotions associated with the loss or circumstances that make it difficult for an individual to fully engage with their grief at the time it occurs. Consequently, feelings of isolation can develop as the person may withdraw from social support networks rather than seek comfort and connection during their grieving process.

In contrast, other terms do not encapsulate this specific experience as clearly. Displaced aggression refers to the redirecting of feelings of anger from one target to another, rather than a delayed emotional response to loss. Denial is an initial emotional reaction to loss where a person may refuse to accept the reality of their situation, causing them to act as though the loss has not occurred. Directive counseling pertains to a therapeutic approach and doesn’t address the emotional response to loss specifically. Therefore, delayed grief is the most accurate term for the scenario described.