Complicated Grief in Adults
Symptoms, Risk Factors and Complications of Prolonged Mourning
Sep 28, 2009
According to Carlin Flora in the December 8, 2008 Psychology Today article "A Complicated Grief," complicated grief develops in approximately 10 to 20 percent of those who have lost a loved one. Feeling sad, angry and depressed after the death of a loved one is a common experience; however, when these feelings are prolonged, grief becomes complicated or unresolved.
Symptoms of Complicated Grief
In the first few months following the death of a loved one, the signs and symptoms of normal grief and complicated grief are typically the same. The symptoms of normal grief tend to lessen within six months; however, symptoms of unresolved grief do not dissipate and can actually worsen.
Symptoms of complicated grief may include:
- Prolonged preoccupation with the loss;
- Intense yearning or physically searching for the deceased loved one;
- Inability to enjoy hobbies or activities one previously enjoyed;
- Depression or extreme sadness;
- Inability or difficulty moving forward;
- Inability to perform normal everyday activities;
- Withdrawal from family and friends;
- Mood swings including irritability or agitation;
- Lack of trust in others after the death of a loved one;
- Feelings that life has lost meaning;
- Emotional numbness or detachment from others, and;
- Extreme feelings of anger or bitterness over the loved one’s death.
Risk Factors of Complicated Grief
Although researchers are unsure what specifically causes unresolved grief, there are certain risk factors including:
- If a death is unexpected, a violent death or suicide;
- Lack of social support;
- If there was traumatic events in one’s childhood such as abuse or neglect or experience of separation anxiety;
- A close relationship with the deceased loved one;
- Lack of ability to adapt to life’s changes, and;
- Caregivers caring for a loved one with a terminal illness are at an increased risk of complicated grief, even before the death.
Complications of Unresolved Grief
When complicated grief is left untreated, debilitating complications can occur such as:
- Thoughts of suicide and/or increased risk of committing suicide;
- Drug and/or alcohol abuse;
- Clinical depression;
- Anxiety;
- Post-traumatic stress disorder, and;
- Inability to perform everyday or routine activities.
Seeking Treatment for Prolonged Grief
While grieving the loss of a loved one is a normal experience, prolonged bereavement or increased intensity of grief should be treated. There is no concrete method of preventing complicated grief, but counseling in combination with prescribed medication can help the bereaved work through grief. Those who are experiencing suicidal thoughts should seek help immediately from a loved one or a health professional.
Sources:
- American Cancer Society. (2009). “Major Depression and Complicated Grief.” Accessed September 27, 2009 from Cancer.org.
- Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (28 September 2007). “Complicated Grief.” Accessed September 27, 2009 from MayoClinic.com.
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