In cases of “normal” grief, there will generally be a period of sorrow or sadness, numbness, guilt, anger, and eventually, acceptance. As time goes on, whether it’s on your own or throughgrief counseling, you’ll eventually begin to be able to accept your loved one’s death and find a way to continue on with your life. Hopefully, you’ll find peace at the end of this experience.

Complicated grief, however, is different. When you’re experiencing complicated grief, your feelings are substantial and often debilitating.

Grief Counseling OnlineYou don’t have to wait for help processing your loss. Access grief counseling within daysStart here

Grief Counseling OnlineYou don’t have to wait for help processing your loss. Access grief counseling within days

Grief Counseling Online

You don’t have to wait for help processing your loss. Access grief counseling within days

Start here

What is Complicated Grief?Complicated grief, also known as persistent complex bereavement disorder, results in feelings and emotions that are so painful, moving forward seems impossible. The pain is long-lasting, and there’s definitely no timeline that all grief follows. However, if you’ve been experiencing a deep sense of grief for longer than a year and you simply cannot see a way to regain the life you lived before your loss, you may have complicated grief.The difference between normal & complicated griefAlthough normal grieving and complicated grieving both have similar symptoms and signs in the beginning phases, there’s a significant difference between the two. Normal grief will fade very gradually over time. The process to heal, and the feelings you’ll experience, are the same in both cases. But when your grief is categorized as normal, you’ll begin to notice that your days become more bearable and your symptoms lessen over time.If you have complicated grief, you willnotbegin to feel better over time. Rather, your pain and symptoms will either stay the same or perhaps even worsen, despite more and more time passing.It’s very important to point out, though, that there isn’t a standard timeframe for grief. There’s no “one way” that we go through the grieving process. Healing from any loss takes time, and you should be kind and patient with yourself (or someone you love) throughout the grieving period.Is complicated grief a DSM diagnosis?Complicated grief is referred to asPersistent Complex Bereavement Disorder, orProlonged Grief Disorder, in the DSM-5. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth ed, defines diagnoses, and includes persistent complex bereavement disorder as an area that “needs further study.”“Someone that cares about you may be able to see the signs of complicated grief before you are aware of it.”Talkspace therapist Dr. Karmen Smith LCSW, DD

What is Complicated Grief?

Complicated grief, also known as persistent complex bereavement disorder, results in feelings and emotions that are so painful, moving forward seems impossible. The pain is long-lasting, and there’s definitely no timeline that all grief follows. However, if you’ve been experiencing a deep sense of grief for longer than a year and you simply cannot see a way to regain the life you lived before your loss, you may have complicated grief.

The difference between normal & complicated grief

Although normal grieving and complicated grieving both have similar symptoms and signs in the beginning phases, there’s a significant difference between the two. Normal grief will fade very gradually over time. The process to heal, and the feelings you’ll experience, are the same in both cases. But when your grief is categorized as normal, you’ll begin to notice that your days become more bearable and your symptoms lessen over time.

If you have complicated grief, you willnotbegin to feel better over time. Rather, your pain and symptoms will either stay the same or perhaps even worsen, despite more and more time passing.

It’s very important to point out, though, that there isn’t a standard timeframe for grief. There’s no “one way” that we go through the grieving process. Healing from any loss takes time, and you should be kind and patient with yourself (or someone you love) throughout the grieving period.

Is complicated grief a DSM diagnosis?

Complicated grief is referred to asPersistent Complex Bereavement Disorder, orProlonged Grief Disorder, in the DSM-5. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth ed, defines diagnoses, and includes persistent complex bereavement disorder as an area that “needs further study.”

“Someone that cares about you may be able to see the signs of complicated grief before you are aware of it.”

Symptoms of Complicated Grief

Symptoms of complicated grief to be aware of include:

If you’re feeling any of the following common symptoms, you should think about getting help:

Complications of complicated grief

There are a number of complications that can stem from a complicated grief diagnosis. Avoiding effective treatment means you may further suffer from complications, such as:

“Complicated grief could come from an enmeshed and/or codependent relationship and the loss of it could signal an absence of the grievers identity.”

Causes of Complicated GriefWhile complicated grieving is a fairly common mental health condition, we still don’t truly understand what causes it. Like many other conditions, the cause of complicated grief could be related to your individual personality, the environment you’re in while you’re working through your grief, or traits you inherited. Even your natural chemical makeup may ultimately contribute to experiencing complicated grief.While there isn’t any one identifiable cause for complicated grief, there are several risk factors that potentially make someone more susceptible. Some of these may include:History of mental disordersDeath of a childUnusually shocking or violent deathA completely unexpected deathA history of substance abuseSocial isolationBeing absent when the loss occurredEncountering other additional major life stressors (for example, extreme financial hardship)Multiple deaths occurring in a very short period of timeBeing witness to the death or loss

Causes of Complicated Grief

While complicated grieving is a fairly common mental health condition, we still don’t truly understand what causes it. Like many other conditions, the cause of complicated grief could be related to your individual personality, the environment you’re in while you’re working through your grief, or traits you inherited. Even your natural chemical makeup may ultimately contribute to experiencing complicated grief.

While there isn’t any one identifiable cause for complicated grief, there are several risk factors that potentially make someone more susceptible. Some of these may include:

How to Treat Complicated Grief

Fortunately, there is treatment available for complicated grief. Some treatments have been shown to be extremely effective in helping people recover. Typically, complicated grief treatment focuses on helping you live a healthier life as you begin to heal from loss throughout the grief process.

“Creating ways to incorporate the loved one into your life that is beneficial to you and their memory is a part of the grieving process.”

Seeking Help for Your GriefWhatever form of treatment you decide on, if you’re experiencing complicated grieving, it’s important you seek help. Whether it be through a support group or individualized therapy with a licensed professional, you deserve to learn how tomanage grief. This way, you can heal and continue living a fruitful, healthy life.Loss is always difficult and painful, but with the right support, you can find your way through it. If you want to learn more about thestages of griefor are ready to start treating your own grief, reach out to Talkspace today.

Seeking Help for Your Grief

Whatever form of treatment you decide on, if you’re experiencing complicated grieving, it’s important you seek help. Whether it be through a support group or individualized therapy with a licensed professional, you deserve to learn how tomanage grief. This way, you can heal and continue living a fruitful, healthy life.

Loss is always difficult and painful, but with the right support, you can find your way through it. If you want to learn more about thestages of griefor are ready to start treating your own grief, reach out to Talkspace today.

Sources:Diagnosis | Center for Complicated Grief. The Center for Complicated Grief.https://complicatedgrief.columbia.edu/professionals/complicated-grief-professionals/diagnosis/. Published 2021. Accessed August 21, 2021.Nakajima Satomi 2018 Complicated grief: recent developments in diagnostic criteria and treatment Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B3732017027320170273https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2017.0273Accessed August 21, 2021.Complicated Grief Treatment (CGT). Suicide Prevention Resource Center.https://www.sprc.org/resources-programs/complicated-grief-treatment-cgt/. Published 2017. Accessed August 21, 2021.What Is Complicated Grief? Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies.https://www.abct.org/fact-sheets/complicated-grief/. Published 2021. Accessed August 21, 2021.

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