Complicated Grief

Complicated Grief is a psychological disorder that occurs following a significant loss and is characterized by intense, persistent grief that does not diminish over time and is associated with significant impairments in functioning. It is more severe and pervasive than what is typically experienced in a grieving process. Complicated Grief is associated with a variety of symptoms, including difficulty accepting the reality of the death, ongoing intense yearning and pining for the deceased, preoccupation with the deceased and reminders of the loss, exaggerated and prolonged responses to reminders of the loss, and a reduced ability to carry out daily activities. Treatment for Complicated Grief aims to help the individual process, accept, and adjust to the loss and to restore adaptive functioning. Treatment typically includes cognitive-behavioral therapy and psychotherapy. Complicated Grief is an important disorder that affects grieving individuals and has significant clinical implications. Understanding, recognizing, and seeking treatment for Complicated Grief is vital for those who have experienced a significant loss.