Complicated Grief

What is complicated grief? Well, grief is a normal response to painful events. We experience grief from the obvious such as death, miscarriage and stillbirth. However, we can also experience grief from the loss of a job, the end of a significant relationship (romantic or otherwise), illness, change in financial status, disability and many more. We can all experience grief for different reasons, and it manifests itself in different ways in different people. However, there is still a difference between “normal” or uncomplicated grief versus complicated grief.

“Normal” grief can involve: crying, changes in sleep patterns, changes in eating patterns, lack of energy, less interest in being social, lessened ability to concentrate, anger (but still have the ability to experience positive emotions), etc. Especially in the case of a death, most people will experience many of these emotions acutely in the following days/weeks. However, several weeks/months later, the grieving person will learn how to manage without that person, even though they will still miss them and feel sad about the loss.

Complicated grief, on the other hand, is often indicated by the following symptoms: anger, irritability, intense feelings of sadness/hopelessness/bitterness/detachment, focusing intently on reminders or avoiding reminders of the deceased, drug and/or alcohol (or other self-destructive behavior), problems accepting the death, among others.

If you (or someone you love) is experiencing complicated grief, you may want to get in touch. We can help!