Next I will discuss some of the causes or triggers that can lead someone into complicated grief. Following the discussion of causes, I will provide some of the interventions and resources available locally available for referral for those suffering from complicated grief. Lastly, I will personalize my remarks by offering a reflection on what I would do pastorally to aid someone fighting complicated grief based on experience, learning, prayer and most importantly guidance from the Holy …show more content…
It is very sad that prior to the current version of the DSM manual (version 5) bereavement was always excluded from the adjustment disorders section. This often left those suffering from acute grief like symptoms due to complicated grief stuck indefinitely with an unrecognized condition. Furthermore, differentiating complicated grief from normal grief does not automatically occur after a specific duration, as everyone (normal grief) grieves differently from other people and even uniquely to each individual loss . Typically though, after one year, normal grievers have moved beyond the acute grief phase and begin to function socially again as they adjust to the integrated state of grief. Contrarily however, those suffering from complicated grief are unable to move forward from the acute grief phase and are debilitated by their acute grief indefinitely. Fortunately, considerable work has been performed in developing testing to help assess the presence of complicated grief. At the forefront of the issue of complicated grief is the burning question “What causes complicated grief?” the answer may not be so simple. Research does suggest it is most likely found in people with very high attachment and dependency levels, people suffering from sudden loss and people suffering from other mental health