Signs of Complicated Grief

What are the signs of complicated grief? Complicated grief is when grief doesn’t seem to go away. It’s normal to feel numb, angry, sad or even depressed following a loss. But as time passes those emotions should lessen in their severity. If you aren’t feeling any better over time or are experiencing any of the following, you may be suffering from a condition called “complicated grief” or you may be experiencing actual depression. If left untreated, both complicated grief and depression can lead to significant health problems, emotional damage and more.

When grief doesn’t go away

Grief never goes away completely. It is normal, but it should abate with time. But some people may have a lot of difficulty accepting a death long after it has occurred. You may feel stuck or be so preoccupied with the person who died that it disrupts your daily routine and undermines your other relationships. That can be a clear sign of complicated grief; symptoms include:

Intense longing and yearning for the deceased

Intrusive thoughts or images of your loved one

Denial of the death or sense of disbelief

Imagining that your loved one is alive

Searching for the person in familiar places

Avoiding things that remind you of your loved one

Extreme anger or bitterness over the death

Feeling that life is empty or meaningless.

Signs of depression

Pervasive sense of guilt

Thoughts of suicide

Preoccupation with dying

Feeling hopeless or worthless

Feeling numb or disconnected for more than a few weeks

Unable to perform normal daily activities

If you think you may be experiencing complicated grief or depression, reach out to a mental health professional to assess your emotional health. While sadness and grief go hand-in-hand, you should not be in unremitting emotional pain; a professional will help you ease the pain you may be experiencing daily.