Unhealthy grieving, clinically known as prolonged grief disorder (PGD) in the DSM-5-TR and ICD-11, occurs when intense grief persists beyond expected cultural norms typically at least 12 months after loss for adults and causes significant daily impairment.

Unlike normal grief, which gradually softens, PGD involves disabling symptoms that disrupt work, relationships, and self-care.

Key signs, drawn from diagnostic criteria by the American Psychiatric Association and research, include:

• Intense yearning or longing for the deceased most days.
• Preoccupation with thoughts/memories of the lost person or death circumstances.
• Difficulty accepting the reality of the loss (disbelief or denial).
• Disturbance in sense of self (feeling part of oneself died, identity confusion).
• Marked bitterness, anger, or guilt related to the loss.
• Emotional numbness or inability to experience positive emotions.
• Feeling life is meaningless or empty without the deceased.
• Severe loneliness or detachment from others.
• Avoidance of reminders of the loss, or inability to move forward (e.g., struggling to pursue interests, socialize, or plan future).

These symptoms must cause clinically significant distress or functional impairment and not be better explained by depression, PTSD, or other conditions.

PGD affects about 10% of bereaved individuals and increases risks for health issues like depression or substance use.

If symptoms persist intensely beyond a year and hinder daily life, seek professional help specialized therapies like complicated grief treatment are effective.