7 Symptoms that Your Loved One is Dealing with Complicated Grief

Caregiver in Herndon VA

It can be really difficult to tell the difference between normal grief over a loss and a bigger problem called complicated grief. While grief fades over time, complicated grief can actually become worse and lead to larger problems. Here are some of the signs that your loved one may actually be facing complicated grief.

Intense Pain and Sadness

Grief is always sad, but if your loved one is experiencing what feels like a much more intense bout of sadness or pain about the loss, this could be a big symptom. Intense sadness and pain could involve lots of tears or it could involve withdrawing from others. You’ll have to rely on what you know about how your loved one expresses sad feelings in order to gauge this sign.

Solitary Focus on the Loss

If the loss is all your loved one can talk about or focus on, then complicated grief may be at work. It’s natural to want to talk about the loss, but if that’s all your loved one will talk about, you may want to get some additional help.

Difficulty Accepting the Loss

Sometimes denial is so strong when it comes to a loss that you cannot get your loved one to acknowledge and to accept that there even is a loss. You can’t force your loved one to accept the loss, but you can try to be there for him when he’s finally ready to acknowledge it.

Bitterness or Detachment about the Loss

Bitterness or detachment regarding the loss can also indicate that your loved one isn’t dealing completely with the loss. It’s understandable to feel this way temporarily, especially if the loss was sudden, but your loved one can’t live in this stage healthily.

Expressing that Life Has No Purpose Anymore

Expressing or believing that your loved one’s life has no purpose anymore is a huge red flag about his mental health. Even hints that your loved one sees no purpose to life anymore can be very bad news. Contact your loved one’s medical team right away for help.

Trouble Completing Normal Routines and Activities

Grief takes up a lot of your loved one’s brain space but if he can’t handle his normal routines and activities, that can be a sign of something more involved. Your loved one might have good days and bad days, but having more bad days in a row than good days is a big indication of problems.

Extreme Irritability or Agitation

Being extremely irritable or agitated can be a red flag, particularly if this is out of character for your loved one. You may opt to let this go for a while, but if it becomes worse or sticks around for a long period of time, you may want to get more help.

Talk to your loved one’s elder care providers about ways that you can help your loved one with complicated grief. They’ve helped other loved ones and they can help you, too.

If you or an aging loved one are considering caregiver services in Herndon, VA, call the caring staff at Medical Professionals On Call today. 703-273-8818

Source:  http://complicatedgrief.columbia.edu/

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Michelle DeFilippis

I graduated with a BS degree and had been selling medical equipment to hospitals, clinics and technicians. More recently, a family member was diagnosed with dementia and we, as a family, realized we were not prepared t care for her. We were thrown into that whirlpool of hospital stays, 24/7 live-in care, skilled care, caring for mom ourselves and finally, now daily home care. This was such a stressful time that I started thinking there had to be other people, other families as overwhelmed and unprepared as we were.

Medical Professionals On Call has such a caring, professional staff who are available to step in with whatever level of care necessary for loved ones and to relieve you of that stress.

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