Loss of identity or purpose in life, feeling like part of themselves died with the loved oneįor some people who are taking care of a loved one with a long-term illness, complicated grief can actually start while their loved one is still alive.Feeling that life is meaningless or empty without the loved one.

Trouble pursuing interests or planning for the future after the death of the loved one.Feeling alone, detached from others, or distrustful of others since the death.Continuous yearning and longing for the deceased.Excessively avoiding reminders of their loss.Wishing to die to be with the loved one.Unable to enjoy good memories about the loved one.Intense sorrow and emotional pain, sometimes including bitterness or anger.Feeling preoccupied with the loved one or how they died.Continued disbelief in the death of the loved one, or emotional numbness over the loss.If what's considered to be 'normal grieving' does not occur, or if the grieving goes on for a long time without any progress, it’s called “complicated grief” or “unresolved grief.” Symptoms of complicated grief might include: Sometimes this leads to what is known as complicated grief. This happens more often when a person was very close to the deceased. For some people, the grieving process can go on for a long time. The grieving person must travel through the grief process, and should be allowed to move through it at their own pace. Family members, friends, support groups, community organizations, or mental health professionals (therapists or counselors) can all help.

Finding support can be the key to a person’s recovery and acceptance of the loss. You can read more in Grief and Bereavement. The importance of support during the grief processĭuring the time of bereavement and throughout the grief process, a grieving person needs a lot of emotional support.

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