Understanding Prolonged Grief Disorder: When Grief Becomes Overwhelming

Grief is a deeply personal, natural response to the death, loss or separation from someone we love. In the wake of a bereavement- that is the death of someone we were connected to and / or loved – it is normal to experience grief. However, for many of us while we may still experience waves sadness or other feelings, grief gradually softens over time. But for some people, the pain of loss remains intense and unrelenting for many months and even years and develop into grief complications.

Complicated grief is now known as Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD and is recognised around the world as a mental health condition. It’s marked by persistent yearning, emotional numbness, difficulty accepting the loss, and a deep sense of emptiness that disrupts daily life—lasting beyond 12 months for adults (or 6 months for children and teens). PGD is not about grieving “too much” or “too long.” It’s about feeling stuck in grief and unable to find a path forward.

You might be experiencing PGD if, for example:

• The loss feels as raw now as it did in the beginning.

• You avoid reminders of your loved one or can’t stop thinking about them.

• Life feels meaningless or hopeless without them.

• You struggle to connect with others or re-engage with life.
  

If any of these sound familiar, you’re not alone—and support is available. Research has found that specialised therapy such as prolonged grief treatment is effective in helping people who feel stuck in their grief, similarly other treatments such as CBT for grief or EMDR.

A common understanding that people have is that there is no right or wrong way to grieve, and indeed there are many personal, social and cultural aspects of grief that may be experienced for many months and years, and this is normal. Healing or adapting to doesn’t mean forgetting or not feeling sad. It means learning how to carry the love forward—while also carrying yourself in a way that allows you to connect with others and live a meaningful life. Helpful strategies for adjusting to profound loss can be to think about ways that you can navigate your grief with kindness.

At the same time, if you find that grief is interfering with your ability to live, or that you feel overwhelmed and not sure how to cope it might be time to seek profession help from a grief therapist who can work with you to provide specialised therapy. You may wish to access the contact forms on this website to contact Jane or Colleen who can discuss your needs and work with you to provide a range of specialised help including PG therapy.

You deserve compassion, support, and hope. Healing is possible.