Complicated Grief

Complicated grief, also known as “prolonged grief disorder”, refers to a more intense and prolonged form of grief. It can disrupt a person’s ability to function in daily life. Unlike typical grief, which usually begins to lessen over time, complicated grief may persist for an extended period and may even intensify.

Characteristics of complicated grief include:

• Intense longing or yearning for the deceased. These feelings do not diminish over time.
• Difficulty accepting the loss which leads to feelings such as disbelief or emotional numbness.
• Preoccupation with the deceased or the circumstances of their death which often seems to interfere with daily activities.
• Becoming socially withdrawn or avoiding places or people that remind the individual of the loss.
• Constantly expressing and feeling anger, bitterness, or guilt in relation to the loss.
• Feeling stuck in the grief and as such finding it difficult to move forward to embrace or experience new relationships or situations.

Since complicated grief can lead to significant emotional distress, the individual may require professional intervention, such as therapy or counseling, to help the individual process their feelings and begin to heal. Recognizing when grief becomes complicated is important because early intervention can help individuals cope more effectively.