This recent New York Times article is about complicated grief —
“an extreme, unrelenting reaction to loss that persists for more than six months… Symptoms…commonly include intense yearning, longing or emotional pain; frequent preoccupying, intrusive thoughts and memories of the person lost; a feeling of disbelief or inability to accept the loss; and difficulty imagining a meaningful life without that person.”
Apparently there are things we can do now to help our loved one’s avoid complicated grief:
“Among the factors that increase the risk is the failure of the deceased to have done advanced care planning, which can result in close family members having to make painful decisions about end-of-life care with no guidance from the dying person. Should treatment for the underlying disease be continued until death? Should the person be attached to a ventilator or feeding tube when there is no hope for recovery? Should CPR be attempted if the heart stops? Such choices are best made when the person is mentally competent and able to discuss choices with next of kin and one’s physicians.”
A person interviewed for this article estimates that 7 to 10 percent of those experiencing loss have complicated grief. In my experience with the local support group, I think the number is a bit less — perhaps 5 percent. Perhaps our group members are better at addressing end-of-life planning?
The author notes that two researchers have developed a “Grief Intensity Scale.” The researchers call “complicated grief” by another term — “prolonged grief disorder.” The scale is available online here:
endoflife.weill.cornell.edu/pdf/pg-13.pdf
Here’s a link to the New York Times website:
well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/02/16/when-grief-wont-relent/
Personal Health
When Grief Won’t Relent
New York Times
By Jane E. Brody
February 16, 2015 5:45 am
Robin