National Grief Awareness Week: Understanding When It’s Time for Professional Support
Grief is a universal, yet profoundly personal, human experience. During National Grief Awareness Week, we acknowledge that there is no “right” way or timeline for mourning. However, for some, the distress of loss can become so persistent, severe, and disabling that it develops into a recognized clinical condition: Complicated Grief (or Prolonged Grief Disorder).
If you need a therapist for grief counseling, our clinicians specialize in evidence-based treatment, including CBT and trauma therapy for loss. You do not have to carry this burden alone.
Here are 5 key signs that the pain you are experiencing may be Complicated Grief and warrants professional support.
1. The Time Factor: Intense Symptoms Persist Past Six Months
While the intensity of grief naturally fluctuates, if the acute, disabling symptoms (such as intense yearning, emotional numbness, and preoccupation with the loss) are still dominant six months or more after the loss, it may signal Complicated Grief (Prolonged Grief Disorder). Normal grief tends to soften over time; complicated grief does not.
2. Emotional Numbness or Avoidance
Instead of intense sorrow, you might experience persistent emotional detachment, disbelief about the death, or feel emotionally numb. You may also be actively avoiding reminders of the person or circumstances of the death, which hinders your ability to integrate the loss and move forward.
3. Difficulty Returning to Daily Functioning
Grief is disruptive, but Complicated Grief prevents recovery in core areas of life. This includes:
- Inability to return to work or school.
- Severe decline in self-care (hygiene, eating, sleeping).
- Difficulty engaging in social activities or pursuing life goals.
4. Intense Loneliness and Yearning
A persistent, consuming longing or yearning for the deceased that dominates your thoughts and interferes with your ability to enjoy any other aspect of life. This intense focus makes it nearly impossible to re-engage with the world around you.
5. Feeling That a Part of Yourself Has Died
Many sufferers report feeling that their life lost its meaning or purpose after the loss, or that a significant part of their identity died along with the person. This sense of being “broken” or that you “can’t stop overthinking everything” is a critical indicator that your grief has become disabling.
Get Connected: Professional Grief Support
If you recognize these nine symptoms, you have more than the blues, you are experiencing a treatable medical condition. Effective SAD treatment options are available, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for SAD, light therapy, and medication management.
Our experienced team of therapists and psychiatrists specializes in evidence-based SAD care. Don’t wait until spring to feel better.
Mental Health Treatment and Support Options
Effective mental health treatment is highly individualized. This November, make a commitment to exploring the available resources designed to support you.
Effective Medication Management for Mental Health
Our team of mental health professionals provides personalized medication management. We are dedicated to providing effective mental health treatment to help yo find wellness.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy
As a leader in innovative mental health treatment, we offer TMS therapy as a non-invasive solution for depression. This advanced treatment helps you find lasting relief without medication side effects.
Spravato® Treatment for Severe Depression
We provide Spravato® for individuals with treatment-resistant depression. This innovative, FDA-approved treatment works to deliver rapid and effective symptom relief.
Psychotherapy & Counseling Services
Our compassionate psychotherapy services are tailored to your needs. Work with a qualified therapist to address anxiety, depression, or other concerns and start your journey toward personal growth and emotional wellness.
Supportive Group Therapy Sessions
Join our group therapy sessions led by experienced mental health professionals. Connect with others who share similar experiences in a safe, confidential environment and learn new skills to support your healing journey.
Meet with a Mental Health Professional
Ready to begin your path to wellness? Our mental health clinic provides comprehensive mental health treatment. Request an appointment today to find a depression psychiatrist or therapist and get started on your journey to recovery.
More Mental Health Tips for Everyday Life
We provide a range of mental health services tailored to your needs. Our dedicated team is here to support your journey towards wellness.
