Overview

Losing a loved one is one of the most distressing and, unfortunately, common experiences people face. Most people experiencing normal grief and bereavement have a period of sorrow, numbness, and even guilt and anger. Gradually these feelings ease, and it's possible to accept loss and move forward.

 

For some people, feelings of loss are debilitating and don't improve even after time passes. This is known as complicated grief, sometimes called persistent complex bereavement disorder. In complicated grief, painful emotions are so long lasting and severe that you have trouble recovering from the loss and resuming your own life.

 

Different people follow different paths through the grieving experience. The order and timing of these phases may vary from person to person:

• Accepting the reality of your loss

• Allowing yourself to experience the pain of your loss

• Adjusting to a new reality in which the deceased is no longer present

• Having other relationships

 

These differences are normal. But if you're unable to move through these stages more than a year after the death of a loved one, you may have complicated grief. If so, seek treatment. It can help you come to terms with your loss and reclaim a sense of acceptance and peace.

 

 

Symptoms

During the first few months after a loss, many signs and symptoms of normal grief are the same as those of complicated grief. However, while normal grief symptoms gradually 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 keeps you from healing.

 

Signs and symptoms of complicated grief may include:

• Intense sorrow, pain and rumination over the loss of your loved one

• Focus on little else but your loved one's death

• Extreme focus on reminders of the loved one or excessive avoidance of reminders

• Intense and persistent longing or pining for the deceased

• Problems accepting the death

• Numbness or detachment

• Bitterness about your loss

• Feeling that life holds no meaning or purpose

• Lack of trust in others

• Inability to enjoy life or think back on positive experiences with your loved one

 

Complicated grief also may be indicated if you continue to:

• Have trouble carrying out normal routines

• Isolate from others and withdraw from social activities

• Experience depression, deep sadness, guilt or self-blame

• Believe that you did something wrong or could have prevented the death

• Feel life isn't worth living without your loved one

• Wish you had died along with your loved one

 

 

When to seek professional help

Contact your doctor or a mental health professional if you have intense grief and problems functioning, or if symptoms don't improve at least one year after the passing of your loved one.

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(From, The Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org,  Retrieved 8/2022.)

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If you think Still Waters might be the right place for you to get help, we would be delighted to talk it over with you.