Prolonged grief disorder is a mental health condition where intense grief lasts more than 12 months and makes it hard to function in daily life.
Signs of prolonged grief disorder include feeling numb or disconnected, avoiding reminders of loss, struggling to accept the death, and questioning the meaning of life.
With the right support, like therapy or grief support groups, most people with prolonged grief disorder can start to feel better over time.
Grief is a natural human response to loss. It doesn’t follow a linear pattern or a predictable schedule. We all grieve in our own time and in our own ways. Also referred to as bereavement, the grieving process can be affected by all sorts of factors. For example, a person’s culture, geographical location, and religion can all influence the grieving process.
Generally speaking, while grief can be painful and disruptive, it usually resolves in time. This doesn’t mean that we stop missing the person we’ve lost. In some ways, we may never stop grieving. We just find ways to manage those difficult feelings so we can resume activities.
But sometimes, grief can persist beyond what’s considered typical in a person’s culture. When this happens, a person may be diagnosed with something called prolonged grief disorder. Before it was recognized as a unique condition, some experts called this experience complicated grief or bereavement-related depression.
Today, we understand prolonged grief disorder as an experience of intense grief that lasts beyond 12 months following a significant loss. It’s believed to affect up to 10% of bereaved adults.
Signs and symptoms of prolonged grief disorder
Prolonged grief disorder causes deep, ongoing longing for the person who died. These feelings are so intense that they interrupt a person’s ability to function in daily life.
Adults with prolonged grief disorder may be preoccupied with thoughts of the person they lost. However, grief may present differently in young people. Youth with prolonged grief disorder may focus on thoughts surrounding the circumstances of the loss.
Mental health professionals diagnose prolonged grief disorder on a case-by-case basis. Some of the signs and symptoms they look for include:
You feel like you lost a part of yourself when the person died.
You’re having a hard time believing the person is really gone.
You actively avoid anything that reminds you of your loss.
You experience intense negative emotions about the death (i.e. anger, sadness, bitterness).
You’re having trouble doing typical activities like planning for the future, spending time with friends, doing hobbies, or going to work.
You feel emotionally numb, like you can’t feel anything at all.
You feel isolated and detached from others.
You’re questioning the meaning of life.
You might notice that many of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of depression. But it’s important to keep in mind that a person can have major depressive disorder (MDD) without experiencing a loss. It’s also possible that someone can have prolonged grief disorder and MDD at the same time. This is referred to as a co-occurring condition, and it typically requires professional help.
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What it’s like to live with prolonged grief disorder
Like other mental health concerns, prolonged grief disorder can ebb and flow. There may be certain times of year (like the holidays) that are more challenging than others. Or you may encounter a memory or reminder that can trigger your grief. The good news is that prolonged grief isn’t a permanent state. About 70% of people with prolonged grief find relief from treatment.
We don’t know why some people experience prolonged grief disorder. People facing the loss of the same person can respond in different ways. But researchers have identified a few factors that may increase your risk of prolonged grief disorder, including:
Having a history of PTSD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or sleep problems
Being the caregiver of the person you lost (risk is higher for people who were their partner’s caregiver)
The death happened suddenly or under traumatic circumstances
Finding healing from prolonged grief disorder
Grieving the loss of someone you love isn’t the same as having a mental health condition. But if your grief has lasted more than a year and is significantly impacting your life, the following supports can help you heal.
Therapy: Prolonged grief disorder treatment is a structured intervention based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It helps people come to terms with their loss and accept their new reality. It also encourages people to find satisfaction in a life without their loved one.
Support groups: Grief and loss support groups can also be an important part of the healing process. Being around other people who know what you’re going through can help you feel seen, heard, and understood.
Self-care: Losing someone you love can be one of the hardest things you ever go through. So if you’re struggling in the aftermath of a loss, try to show yourself compassion and patience during this time. Do your best to make time for self-care activities that lift your spirits.
If you’re unsure about therapy, I often ask: Is your grief keeping you from living the life you want? You don’t have to move on — you just don’t have to carry it alone.
Brandy Chalmers, LPC
Clinical reviewer
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If your grief has lasted more than a year and impacts your daily functioning, it could be a sign of prolonged grief disorder. Fortunately, hope and healing are possible with the right support. If you’re experiencing prolonged grief, therapy, support groups, and self-care can help you accept your loss and regain hope for the future.
At Rula, we’re here to help you feel better. Rula makes it easy to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who takes your insurance. That way, you don’t have to choose between great care and a price you can afford.
Rula patients pay about $15 per session with insurance, and 93% say they feel better after getting care through Rula. We have 21,000+ providers, and appointments are available as soon as tomorrow. We’re here to help you take the next step — wherever you are in your mental health journey.
Liz Talago
Liz Talago, M.ed. is a mental health professional turned content writer and strategist based in the Detroit metro area. As an independent consultant for mental health organizations, Liz creates meaningful connections between brands and their audiences through strategic storytelling. Liz is known for championing diverse perspectives within the mental health industry and translating bold ideas into inspiring, affirming digital experiences.
In her free time, you can find her hiking with her two German Shepherds, puttering around her dahlia garden, or spending time with her family.
Brandy Chalmers, LPC
Having faced challenges like childhood abuse, neglect, and the loss of her father to suicide, Brandy Chalmers is deeply passionate about providing compassionate care. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Nationally Certified Counselor, and Registered Play Therapist with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy.
Brandy also teaches at a university, sharing her expertise with future mental health professionals. With over a decade of experience in settings like inpatient care and private practice, she specializes in helping clients with perfectionism, trauma, personality disorders, eating disorders, and life changes.
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