"Complicated Grief" - a specific mental disorder?
Have you heard of "Complicated Grief?" This condition might be added to the new DSM-V that is coming out in 2012. Complicated Grief mirrors PTSD and clinical depression in many ways and affects an estimated 15% of the bereaved population (~1mil people). For people with Complicated Grief, dealing with the death of a loved one is not only difficult, but nearly impossible. Their lives become severely damaged and no longer find enjoyment in life or the ability to live healthfully and completely. "They can barely function and "it takes a person away from humanity."
Complicated Grief or prolonged grief disorder has only been receiving attention in the last several years. Some experts don't see a need to give it specific attention in the DSM-V and would like to see it categorized beside PSTD and depression (as it may be an aspect of these existing disorders). Others believe it deserves specific categorization as "they have better data for this than almost any of the other possible topics" up for DSM-V consideration.
Studies of those with complicated grief show that parts of the brain that are "lit up" also light up during withdrawal and longing. This leads some researchers to associate complicated grief with addiction.
What have you heard about complicated grief disorder? Have you experienced it personally? Has a family member had symptoms? Do you believe it deserves separate consideration? How does our cultural way of dealing (or not dealing) with death affect our overall health?
A lot of positive results for those with complicated grief come from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Learn more about CBT here.
Want to learn more about Complicated Grief?
Here is the NYT Times article I read
Here is a Mayo Clinic piece about it
Here is Harvard Medical School's Health Guide to it
Even normal grieving and loss takes a long time. Check out all 5 of Sarah's awesome blog posts about the 5 Stages of Grief here
Complicated Grief or prolonged grief disorder has only been receiving attention in the last several years. Some experts don't see a need to give it specific attention in the DSM-V and would like to see it categorized beside PSTD and depression (as it may be an aspect of these existing disorders). Others believe it deserves specific categorization as "they have better data for this than almost any of the other possible topics" up for DSM-V consideration.
Studies of those with complicated grief show that parts of the brain that are "lit up" also light up during withdrawal and longing. This leads some researchers to associate complicated grief with addiction.
What have you heard about complicated grief disorder? Have you experienced it personally? Has a family member had symptoms? Do you believe it deserves separate consideration? How does our cultural way of dealing (or not dealing) with death affect our overall health?
A lot of positive results for those with complicated grief come from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Learn more about CBT here.
Want to learn more about Complicated Grief?
Here is the NYT Times article I read
Here is a Mayo Clinic piece about it
Here is Harvard Medical School's Health Guide to it
Even normal grieving and loss takes a long time. Check out all 5 of Sarah's awesome blog posts about the 5 Stages of Grief here
Tags: bereavement, complicated, death, depression, dsm-iv, dsm-v, grief, health, mental, ptsd
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