Complicated Grief: When Grief Becomes a Mental Illness
Death is inevitable. Most of us will suffer profound grief over the loss of a loved one sooner or later. Whether it is a parent, a spouse, a sibling, a child or a pet, losing someone you love is one of the most distressing experiences to go through. Many mourners may even contemplate their reason for living. Grief and bereavement are normal reactions as we search for ways to make sense of the loss. However, when do these emotions become less intense over time and when do they get to a point where medications or psychological treatment are required? Those who continue to feel prolonged traumatic emotions may be suffering from a condition called complicated grief.
What is Complicated Grief?
Complicated grief, also known as persistent complex bereavement disorder, occurs when emotions are so severe and long-lasting that people have difficulty recovering from the loss and moving on with their own life. It can turn into a life-changing mental health condition that will not go away without the help of treatment.
Normal Grief
Since everyone experiences grief differently, the stages of grief may vary from one person to another. Normal grief involves:
- Accepting the loss of your loved one
- Adjusting to a life without your loved one
- Allowing yourself to experience the pain
- Moving on with your life
If you are not able to get through these stages of grief after more than a year of your loved one’s death, you may be dealing with complicated grief.
Symptoms of Complicated Grief
The symptoms of complicated grief are similar to those of normal grief during the first few months after losing a loved one. However, while symptoms of normal grief gradually start to lessen and fade over time, signs of complicated grief linger and worsen over time. It is like being in a continuous state of mourning that prevents you from healing. Some signs and symptoms of complicated grief to watch for include:
- Believing that you could have prevented the death
- Difficulty accepting the death
- Difficulty doing normal routines
- Experiencing depression, deep sadness, guilt or self-blame
- Extreme focus on reminders or excessive avoidance of reminders of the loved one
- Feeling numb and bitter about your loss
- Feeling that life holds no meaning
- Focusing on little else but your loved one’s death
- Inability to enjoy life
- Intense sorrow and pain over the loss of your loved one
- Lacking trust in others
- Persistent longing for your loved one
- Wishing you had died with your loved one
- Withdrawing from social activities
The Causes of Complicated Grief
Many health experts don’t know what causes complicated grief. Like many other mental health conditions, it may be due to their personality, their genetics, their body’s natural chemical makeup or their environment.
What are the Risk Factors of Complicated Grief?
Anyone who lost a loved one can experience complicated grief but there are certain risk factors that may increase the chance of someone developing it. The risk factors include:
- A violent or unexpected incident such as murder, suicide or fatal car accident
- Close or dependent relationship to the deceased person
- Death of a child
- History of mental illness such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Major life stressors, such as financial hardships
- Social isolation or loss of a support system
- Substance abuse issues
- Traumatic childhood experiences, such as neglect or abuse
Preventing Complicated Grief
Seeing a counselor soon after losing a loved one may help prevent complicated grief, especially for those who are at risk of developing the disorder. Through early counseling, those in mourning can explore their emotions and learn how to cope with their loss. It’s also a good idea to seek support from family members, friends, and support groups to help you work through your grief. Talking about your emotions and allowing yourself to experience the pain can help you move through the stages of grief and into the healing process.
Watch YouTube Video: Complicated Grief. The short animated video below discusses complicated grief and what you can do to get through it.
When to Seek Treatment
If you are experiencing intense grief and have difficulty resuming life after the loss of a loved one, you may want to seek treatment to help you come to terms with your loss. Sometimes, those experiencing complicated grief may consider suicide. If you have suicidal thoughts, talk to someone you trust immediately or call 911. You can also call the suicide prevention lifeline at 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255) to talk to a counselor. Therapy can help make a difference for you. It can help you come to terms with your loss so you can move past it and move on with your life.
Sacramento Wrongful Death Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento wrongful death lawyer. Losing a loved one is devastating but it is incomprehensible when you lose a family member due to the negligence of another person. If you have lost a loved one in an insensible accident, call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 494-5400 for free, friendly and compassionate advice.
I have represented many grieving families in Sacramento and all of Northern California since 1982 with their wrongful death and personal injury cases. I would like to extend my support to you in your time of need.
You can find reviews by our past clients at Google, Yelp, and Avvo.
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When choosing an attorney to represent your case, it is important to see their track record. You can see our verdicts and settlements cases on my site, autoaccident.com.
Complicated Grief: When Grief Becomes a Mental Illness: AutoAccident.com
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