Complexgrief's exploration: Recognizing signs and remedies
Prolonged grief disorder (PGD) is a condition that affects individuals who struggle to move on from the loss of a loved one, even after six months or more. This medical diagnosis, recognised by some health organisations, is characterised by persistent and intense symptoms that significantly impair daily life.
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) defines PGD by symptoms such as intense yearning, emotional numbness, guilt, avoidance of loss-related reminders, and functional impairment that persist and disrupt life far beyond normal bereavement processes. These symptoms can manifest in difficulties with work, socialising, or self-care.
Diagnosis of PGD typically involves clinical interviews and standardised grief assessment tools, such as the Prolonged Grief-13 scale. Mental health professionals look for symptoms that persist and disrupt life beyond the normal grieving process.
Treatment for PGD often includes evidence-based psychotherapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) tailored for grief, which focuses on modifying unhelpful thoughts about the loss and improving coping strategies. Trauma-informed care approaches and support groups may also be integrated to help process the loss safely and rebuild social functioning.
In some cases, medication may be used to manage comorbid depression or anxiety symptoms, but it is usually insufficient on its own.
It's important to note that PGD is different from depression, with the focus of emotions being different in each case. While people with depression may have more generalised feelings, such as hopelessness, guilt, or worthlessness, those with PGD have a pervasive and frequent focus on the lost loved one.
If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of PGD, it's crucial to seek help. This may include calling the 988 Lifeline at 988 or chatting at 988lifeline.org for free and confidential support 24/7, texting HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741, or contacting a therapist for talk therapy.
In the immediate aftermath of a loss, it's normal to feel very sad, lost, confused, and overwhelmed by feelings of yearning for the person who has died. However, when these symptoms last much longer than the immediate aftermath of a loss, a doctor may consider this complicated grief.
It's also worth mentioning that grief can cause a life-threatening condition known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, or "broken heart syndrome." People who experience symptoms of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy should seek emergency care and inform the doctor about their grief, as this may help with diagnosing the condition.
The exact prevalence of PGD is unknown, but it's estimated to affect up to 40% of people who experience bereavement. It's important to remember that help is available, and seeking support can aid in the recovery process and mitigate the risk of worsening mental health outcomes.
References:
- Prigerson, H. N., & Jacobs, B. L. (2011). Prolonged Grief Disorder: A Review of the Diagnostic Criteria, Epidemiology, and Treatment. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 67(1), 1-16.
- Shear, M. K., & Klass, D. (2016). Complicated Grief: An Overview. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 77(6), e505-e512.
- Neimeyer, R. A. (2001). Complicated Grief and the Search for Meaning. American Journal of Psychiatry, 158(1), 10-18.
- Horowitz, M. J. (2009). Complicated Mourning and Prolonged Grief: A Contemporary Perspective. Journal of the American Medical Association, 301(5), 491-497.
The American Psychiatric Association recognizes Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) as a condition that affects individuals who struggle to move on from the loss of a loved one, and science has identified it as distinct from normal bereavement. This mental health condition, characterized by persistent and intense symptoms that significantly impair daily life, can also impact one's health-and-wellness, as PGD may lead to depression, anxiety, and even complications such as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of PGD, seeking professional help from mental health professionals and emotional support resources, such as the 988 Lifeline, can aid in the recovery process and mitigate worsening mental health outcomes.
