A grief so deep it won’t die
September 11, 2015
Mourning the death of a loved one is often a long and painful experience, yet for some people the emotions that come with loss do not soften over time but instead become what mental health professionals call “complicated grief.” This condition can last years, sometimes absorbing those who experience it so fully that they lose their capacity to relate to their friends and community. Complicated grief is particularly associated with deaths that are sudden or violent, with mourners feeling that they should have been able to save the person who died. It is most common among the elderly and among those with a history of depression, anxiety, or substance abuse. Specialized therapy for complicated grief has shown some success in relieving symptoms. “It gets you thinking about your loss in a different way,” said a woman who became able to function again after seven years of isolated grieving. “It encourages you to move on, because there’s happiness ahead of you.”
Spark extra! Find more information and resources for providers at the Center for Complicated Grief.