Complicated Grief
Complicated grief reactions require more complex therapies than uncomplicated
grief reactions. Adjustment disorders (especially depressed and anxious mood
or disturbed emotions and behavior), major depression, substance abuse, and
even post-traumatic stress disorder are some of the common problems of
complicated bereavement. Complicated grief is identified by the extended
length of time of the symptoms, the interference caused by the symptoms, or by
the intensity of the symptoms (for example, intense suicidal thoughts or acts).
Complicated or unresolved grief may appear as a complete absence of grief and
mourning, an ongoing inability to experience normal grief reactions, delayed
grief, conflicted grief, or chronic grief. Factors that contribute to the
chance that one may experience complicated grief include the suddenness of the
death, the gender of the person in mourning, and the relationship to the
deceased (for example, an intense, extremely close, or very contradictory
relationship). Grief reactions that turn into major depression should be
treated with both drug and psychological therapy. One who avoids any reminders
of the person who died, who constantly thinks or dreams about the person who
died, and who gets scared and panics easily at any reminders of the person who
died may be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Substance abuse may
occur, frequently in an attempt to avoid painful feelings about the loss and
symptoms (such as sleeplessness), and can also be treated with drugs and
psychological therapy.
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