Grief

Grief is a natural, universal response to loss, most often associated with the death of a loved one, but also applicable to other significant losses (e.g., relationships, health, identity).

 

Typical grief includes a wide range of emotional, physical, cognitive, and behavioural responses, such as:

• Sadness, crying, longing

• Anger, guilt, or numbness

• Difficulty concentrating or disrupted sleep/appetite

• Social withdrawal or changes in identity

​​

This grief usually peaks in intensity within the first few months and gradually becomes more integrated into the person’s life. The pain may persist, but most individuals begin to adapt and find ways to move forward, while still honouring the loss.

​

Complicated grief—also known as Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD)—occurs when a person experiences persistent, intense grief that doesn't ease over time and interferes significantly with daily functioning.

​

Symptoms may include:

• Ongoing, intense yearning or preoccupation with the deceased

• Avoidance of reminders of the loss

• Persistent feelings of emptiness, meaninglessness, or identity confusion

• Inability to accept the death or move forward in life

• Emotional numbness or detachment

​

Complicated grief lasts longer than 6-12 months and doesn’t show signs of typical adaptation. It's more likely to occur after sudden, traumatic, or very close losses, or in individuals with a prior mental health history.

​

Traumatic grief occurs when the loss itself is also a traumatic event, such as the sudden death of a loved one in an accident, suicide, homicide, or other violent or shocking circumstances. In these cases, the grieving person may experience symptoms of both grief and trauma, such as:

• Flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive memories of the death

• Hypervigilance or avoidance of reminders

• Feelings of fear, helplessness, or horror alongside grief

• Difficulty trusting others or feeling safe

• Strong guilt or self-blame​

​

This type of grief often overlaps with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and may interfere with the ability to process or integrate the loss.

​

Treatment options depend on the type of grief experienced. For non-complicated grief, psychotherapy can help provide ​emotional support as well as coping strategies. Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Practices can help individuals sit with painful emotions without judgment and reduce the inner criticism often present in grief.

 

For complicated or traumatic grief, cognitive-behavioural therapy can be beneficial in helping individuals identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts (e.g., “I should have prevented this,” or “I can’t live without them”) as well develop coping skills to promote recovery. Depending on the nature of the traumatic grief, trauma-focused interventions, including Prolonged Exposure, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and Written Exposure Therapy may be most beneficial.

 

​In some cases, medications may help manage co-occurring depression or anxiety.

​

Grief is not something to be “fixed,” but therapy can support the healthy integration of loss into a person’s life and reduce the suffering that comes when grief becomes stuck or overwhelming.