Complicated Grief & Loss

Grieving over a loved one’s death or other Loss is an inevitable part of our common humanity and life experience. However, most people move through the painful stages of the grieving process and eventually find joy in life once more. While we may miss our loved ones, we recover and do our best to move forward at times intensely.

The difference between normal grief and complicated grief is that people who suffer from complex grief struggle to get better over time. Without help, individuals who suffer from complicated grief continue to experience intense, disabling feelings of Loss and emotional pain that control their lives, relationships with others, and ability to function and adapt.

WHAT IS COMPLICATED GRIEF?

While it’s normal to experience intense emotional pain and have difficulty functioning after losing a loved one, most people adjust and eventually heal. Individuals who have experienced Loss gradually transition from acute grief to integrated grief. While suffering may always be present, it does not prevent the individual from living a full, happy, and functional life. The anguish eventually dissipates, allowing them to function and have meaningful relationships with others.

Complicated grief is a syndrome where the bereaved person does not move towards healing beyond the acute grief phase. A variety of factors block the healing process and prevent the sufferer from accepting their Loss and moving forward. Individuals with complicated grief remain in the acute grieving stage, where their thoughts are dominated by feelings such as:

Longing
Remorse
Sadness
Bitterness
Guilt
Shame
Anger

These intense feelings prevent the sufferer from healing and enjoying life. The complicated grief impairs the bereaved person’s ability to enjoy relationships with other people. For somebody suffering from complicated grief, life can seem hopeless and devoid of meaning.
About 10% of bereaved individuals experience complicated grief, with higher rates among subgroups, including those who lose a child or a loved one due to unexpected circumstances such as disaster or violence.

RECOVERING FROM COMPLICATED GRIEF

The first step in recovering from complicated grief is to find a group of mental health professionals who can provide a sophisticated and compassionate initial evaluation, leading to an accurate diagnosis. Complicated grief should be distinguished from other disorders such as major depression and PTSD. Although some patients suffer from other disorders and complicated grief, this syndrome must be recognized as a separate disorder with a distinct approach to treatment. A significant factor in diagnosing complicated grief is the persistence of symptoms of acute distress for more than one year in adults and six months in children. People with complicated grief continue to experience thoughts and feelings such as:

Acute sadness and emotional pain
Preoccupation with the deceased
Inability to accept the Loss
Emotional numbness related to the death
Self-blame
Anger
Bitterness
Suicidal thoughts
Lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities

With appropriate help, which can include targeted psychotherapy such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and group therapy, medication, and other individualized treatment approaches, people who have suffered for decades can recover and move forward with their lives.

ASANTE CAN HELP YOU PROCESS LOSS TO MOVE FORWARD

Each person suffering from complicated grief has experienced unique and heartbreaking circumstances related to the death of their loved one or other Loss, which prevents them from healing through a healthy grieving process.

At ASANTE, our dedicated team of mental health professionals will help you understand and process the painful feelings and emotions that keep you in the acute grieving phase. Our team of experts will support you to go beyond symptom reduction to achieve your optimal quality of life. Treatment begins with a comprehensive bio-psycho-social assessment by a board-certified clinician. Licensed clinicians will tailor your treatment plan to your individual needs. Your individualized treatment plan can include life-affirming activities such as:

Mindfulness and meditation practices
Nutrition
Exercise
Journaling
Massage therapy
Art
Medication management (referral)

At ASANTE, we understand how infinitely valuable each person who comes to us for healing is. We are here to help you recover from your Loss and move forward, honoring the memory of your loved one by living each day of your life to the fullest.

For more information about how we can help you, call ASANTE at 909.886.3322