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05/13/2022 Chris Preston
Losing a loved one is one of the most traumatic and, unfortunately, common experiences people face. Most people going through normal grief and bereavement have a period of sorrow, numbness, and even guilt and anger. Slowly these feelings ease, and it is possible to accept the loss and move forward.
For some people, feelings of loss are debilitating and do not get better even after time passes. This is called complicated grief, at times known as persistent complex bereavement disorder. In complicated grief, painful emotions are so long-lasting and severe that you have difficulty recovering from the loss and resuming your own life.
Different people take different paths through the grieving experience. The order and timing of these phases might vary from person to person:
These differences are normal. But if you are unable to move through these stages more than a year after the death of a loved one, you might have complicated grief. If so, look for treatment. It could help you come to terms with your loss and reclaim a sense of acceptance and peace.
During the first few months after a loss, many of the signs and symptoms of normal grief are the same as those of complicated grief. However, while normal grief symptoms slowly start to fade over time, those of complicated grief linger or get worse. Complicated grief is like being in an ongoing, heightened state of mourning that prevents you from recovering.
Signs and symptoms of complicated grief might include:
Complicated grief also might be indicated if you continue to:
Contact your doctor or a mental health professional if you have intense grief and problems functioning that do not improve at least one year after the passing of your loved one.
If you have thoughts of suicide
At times, people with complicated grief might consider suicide. If you are thinking about suicide, speak to someone you trust. If you think you might act on suicidal feelings, call 911 or your local emergency services number right away. Or call on a suicide hotline number. In the United States, call on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) to reach a trained counselor.
It is not known what causes complicated grief. As with many mental health disorders, it might involve your environment, your personality, inherited traits, and your body's natural chemical makeup
Complicated grief happens more often in females and with older age. Factors that might increase the risk of developing complicated grief include:
Complicated grief could affect you physically, mentally, and socially. Without appropriate treatment, complications might include:
It is not clear how to prevent complicated grief. Getting counseling soon after a loss might help, particularly for people at increased risk of developing complicated grief. In addition, caregivers providing end-of-life care for a loved one might benefit from counseling and support to help prepare for death and its emotional aftermath.
Grieving is a highly individual process for each person, and determining when normal grief becomes complicated grief could be difficult. There is currently no consensus among mental health experts about how much time must pass before complicated grief could be diagnosed.
Complicated grief might be considered when the intensity of grief has not decreased in the months after your loved one's death. Some mental health professionals diagnose complicated grief when grieving continues to be intense, persistent, and debilitating beyond twelve months.
There are many similarities between complicated grief and major depression, but there are also dissimilar differences. In some cases, clinical depression and complicated grief happen together. Getting the correct diagnosis is essential for appropriate treatment, so a comprehensive medical and psychological examination is often done.
Your doctor or mental health professional considers your specific symptoms and circumstances in determining what treatment is likely to work best for you.
Complicated grief is often treated with a type of psychotherapy known as complicated grief therapy. It is similar to psychotherapy techniques used for depression and PTSD, but it is particularly for complicated grief. This treatment could be effective when done individually or in a group format.
During therapy, you might:
Other types of psychotherapy could help you address other mental health conditions, like depression or PTSD, which could occur along with complicated grief.
There is little solid research on the use of psychiatric medications to treat complicated grief. However, antidepressants might be helpful in people who have clinical depression as well as complicated grief.
If you or anyone you know is suffering from complicated grief, our expert providers at Specialty Care Clinics will take care of your health and help you recover.
Call us on 469-545-9983 to book a telehealth appointment for an at-home check-up.
