Prolonged grief disorder

PGD behavioral symptoms include:

• Elevated rates of suicidal ideation and attempts{{Cite journal |last1=Sekowski |first1=M |last2=Prigerson |first2=H. G. |date=November 2022 |title=Associations between symptoms of prolonged grief disorder and depression and suicidal ideation |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bjc.12381 |journal=British Journal of Clinical Psychology |language=en |volume=61 |issue=4 |pages=1211–1218 |doi=10.1111/bjc.12381 |issn=0144-6657 |pmid=35869636|s2cid=250990108 }}{{cite journal |display-authors=6 |vauthors=Prigerson HG, Bridge J, Maciejewski PK, Beery LC, Rosenheck RA, Jacobs SC, Bierhals AJ, Kupfer DJ, Brent DA |date=December 1999 |title=Influence of traumatic grief on suicidal ideation among young adults |journal=The American Journal of Psychiatry |volume=156 |issue=12 |pages=1994–5 |doi=10.1176/ajp.156.12.1994 |pmid=10588419|s2cid=39108484 }}
• Functional impairment{{cite journal |display-authors=6 |vauthors=Prigerson HG, Horowitz MJ, Jacobs SC, Parkes CM, Aslan M, Goodkin K, Raphael B, Marwit SJ, Wortman C, Neimeyer RA, Bonanno GA, Bonanno G, Block SD, Kissane D, Boelen P, Maercker A, Litz BT, Johnson JG, First MB, Maciejewski PK |date=August 2009 |editor1-last=Brayne |editor1-first=Carol |title=Prolonged grief disorder: Psychometric validation of criteria proposed for DSM-V and ICD-11 |journal=PLOS Medicine |volume=6 |issue=8 |pages=e1000121 |doi=10.1371/journal.pmed.1000121 |pmc=2711304 |pmid=19652695 |doi-access=free }}{{cite journal |display-authors=6 |vauthors=Prigerson HG, Bierhals AJ, Kasl SV, Reynolds CF, Shear MK, Day N, Beery LC, Newsom JT, Jacobs S |date=May 1997 |title=Traumatic grief as a risk factor for mental and physical morbidity |journal=The American Journal of Psychiatry |volume=154 |issue=5 |pages=616–23 |doi=10.1176/ajp.154.5.616 |pmid=9137115 |doi-access=free}}
• High treatment-seeking behaviors{{Cite journal |last1=Rosner |first1=Rita |last2=Rimane |first2=Eline |last3=Vogel |first3=Anna |last4=Rau |first4=Jörn |last5=Hagl |first5=Maria |date=2018-04-20 |title=Treating prolonged grief disorder with prolonged grief-specific cognitive behavioral therapy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial |journal=Trials |volume=19 |issue=1 |page=241 |doi=10.1186/s13063-018-2618-3 |pmid=29678193 |pmc=5910599 |issn=1745-6215 |doi-access=free }}
• Adverse health behaviors

PGD is also a risk factor a variety of somatic symptoms possibly including:

• Reduced quality of life in adults{{cite journal |vauthors=Silverman GK, Jacobs SC, Kasl SV, Shear MK, Maciejewski PK, Noaghiul FS, Prigerson HG |date=July 2000 |title=Quality of life impairments associated with diagnostic criteria for traumatic grief |journal=Psychological Medicine |volume=30 |issue=4 |pages=857–62 |doi=10.1017/S0033291799002524 |pmid=11037094 |s2cid=25793130}} and in children{{cite journal |vauthors=Irwin M, Daniels M, Weiner H |year=1987 |title=Immune and neuroendocrine changes during bereavement |journal=Psychiatr Clin North Am |volume=10 |issue=3 |pages=449–465 |doi=10.1016/S0193-953X(18)30554-9 |pmid=3317313}}
• Cancer
• Immunological dysfunction
• Hypertension
• Cardiac events

The individual's relationship to the deceased accounts for a large amount of variance in symptoms. Spouses, parents, and children of deceased tend to display highest severities, followed by siblings, in-laws, and friends. Subjective closeness to deceased has also been found to be an important predictor of pathologic grief responses.{{Cite journal |last=Males |first=Mike |date=September 1991 |title=Teen Suicide and Changing Cause-of-Death Certification, 1953-1987 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1943-278x.1991.tb00948.x |journal=Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior |volume=21 |issue=3 |pages=245–258 |doi=10.1111/j.1943-278x.1991.tb00948.x |issn=0363-0234 |pmid=1759298}} Bereaved persons often feel a need to understand why their loved one died by suicide, particularly if a message was not left behind by the deceased.{{Cite journal |last1=Tal Young |first1=I. |last2=Iglewicz |first2=A. |last3=Glorioso |first3=D. |last4=Lanouette |first4=N. |last5=Seay |first5=K. |last6=Ilapakurti |first6=M. |last7=Zisook |first7=S. |date=June 2012 |title=Suicide bereavement and complicated grief |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.31887/dcns.2012.14.2/iyoung |journal=Bereavement and Complicated Grief |volume=14 |issue=2 |pages=177–186 |doi=10.31887/dcns.2012.14.2/iyoung |issn=2608-3477 |pmc=3384446 |pmid=22754290}}

Grief is a common response to bereavement, occurring in a variety of severities and durations, however only a minority of cases of grief meet the severity and duration criteria to merit diagnosis of PGD; it is considered when an individual's ability to function and level of distress over the loss is extreme and persistent.{{Cite journal |last1=Szuhany |first1=Kristin L. |last2=Malgaroli |first2=Matteo |last3=Miron |first3=Carly D. |last4=Simon |first4=Naomi M. |date=June 2021 |title=Prolonged Grief Disorder: Course, Diagnosis, Assessment, and Treatment |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1176/appi.focus.20200052 |journal=FOCUS |volume=19 |issue=2 |pages=161–172 |doi=10.1176/appi.focus.20200052 |pmid=34690579 |pmc=8475918 |issn=1541-4094}} People with PGD can experience a chronic aching and yearning for the dear departed, feel that they are not the same person anymore (identity disturbance), become emotionally disconnected from others, or lack the desire to "move on" (in some cases feeling that doing so would be betraying the person who is now deceased). Although normal grief remains with the bereaved person far into the future, its ability to disrupt the survivor's life is believed to dissipate with time.

Since the 1990s, studies have demonstrated the validity of distinguishing PGD from mental disorders with similar symptom clusters, specifically major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.{{cite journal |display-authors=6 |vauthors=Prigerson HG, Frank E, Kasl SV, Reynolds CF, Anderson B, Zubenko GS, Houck PR, George CJ, Kupfer DJ |date=January 1995 |title=Complicated grief and bereavement-related depression as distinct disorders: preliminary empirical validation in elderly bereaved spouses |journal=The American Journal of Psychiatry |volume=152 |issue=1 |pages=22–30 |citeseerx=10.1.1.466.8151 |doi=10.1176/ajp.152.1.22 |pmid=7802116}} Validity has also been demonstrated for the DSM-5-TR criteria.{{Cite journal |last1=Prigerson |first1=Holly G. |last2=Boelen |first2=Paul A. |last3=Xu |first3=Jiehui |last4=Smith |first4=Kirsten V. |last5=Maciejewski |first5=Paul K. |date=2021-01-12 |title=Validation of the new DSM-5-TR criteria for prolonged grief disorder and the PG-13-Revised (PG-13-R) scale |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/wps.20823 |journal=World Psychiatry |volume=20 |issue=1 |pages=96–106 |doi=10.1002/wps.20823 |pmid=33432758 |pmc=7801836 |s2cid=231579446 |issn=1723-8617}}

Both DSM-5-TR or the ICD-11 are manuals that describe the diagnostic criteria for prolonged grief disorder. As early as 2009, diagnostic criteria for PGD were proposed and later revised. However, the DSM-5 (2013) did not include PGD; it was only added later in the DSM-5-TR (2022). The ICD-11 was published in 2022 and also included PGD. Compared to the DSM-5-TR criteria, the ICD-11 allows for a shorter duration of grief responses in adults before diagnosing prolonged grief disorder.

Prolonged grief disorder in the DSM-5-TR is classified as a "trauma and stressor-related disorder". The diagnosis is given when someone experiences intense and persistent grief following the death of a close person. Key symptoms include intense longing or preoccupation with the deceased, along with additional signs such as disturbances in the sense of identity, difficulty accepting the death, intense emotional pain or numbness, feeling very lonely, and finding that life is meaningless. The symptoms must cause significant distress or impairment, exceed cultural expectations for grief, and not be better explained by another mental or medical condition.{{Cite book |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1288423302 |title=Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders : DSM-5-TR |date=2022 |others=American Psychiatric Association |isbn=978-0-89042-575-6 |edition=Fifth edition, text revision |location=Washington, DC |oclc=1288423302}}

According to psychologist Holly Prigerson, an editor on the trauma and stressor-related disorder section of the DSM-5-TR,{{Cite book |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1288423302 |title=Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders : DSM-5-TR |date=2022 |others=American Psychiatric Association |isbn=978-0-89042-575-6 |edition=Fifth edition, text revision |location=Washington, DC |oclc=1288423302}} strong and ongoing longing for the deceased is a key symptom of prolonged grief, but it is not a feature of depression or any other disorder in the DSM.Frances, A. (2012, February 28). When Good Grief Goes Bad. The Huffington Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/allen-frances/grief-depression_b_1301050.html

Prolonged grief disorder in the ICD-11 is diagnosed when a person experiences ongoing and intense grief after the death of someone close. Core symptoms include strong longing or preoccupation with the deceased, combined with emotional pain such as sadness, guilt, anger, or numbness. The grief must last longer than culturally expected and cause significant disruption to daily life. Additional signs include difficulty coping without the deceased, problems recalling positive memories, social withdrawal, and increased substance use or suicidal thoughts. The diagnosis should reflect the individual's cultural norms and not be confused with normal bereavement or other mental health conditions like depression or PTSD. Children and older adults may show grief differently depending on developmental stages.{{Cite web |title=ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics |url=https://icd.who.int/browse11/l-m/en#/http://id.who.int/icd/entity/1183832314 |access-date=2022-05-15 |website=icd.who.int}}

Multiple assessment tools specifically for grief related to bereavement have been developed. The Brief Grief Questionnaire, the 13-item Prolonged Grief-13-R and the 19 item Inventory for Prolonged Grief are screening tools which may suggest the presence of a prolonged grief disorder, with further interview and grief history inventory required to establish a diagnosis.{{cite journal |last1=Simon |first1=Naomi M. |last2=Shear |first2=M. Katherine |title=Prolonged Grief Disorder |journal=New England Journal of Medicine |date=3 October 2024 |volume=391 |issue=13 |pages=1227–1236 |doi=10.1056/NEJMcp2308707|pmid=39589372 }} The Inventory of Complicated Grief (developed in 1995) is validaded to assess grief symptoms and remains widely used today.{{cite journal |display-authors=6 |vauthors=Prigerson HG, Maciejewski PK, Reynolds CF, Bierhals AJ, Newsom JT, Fasiczka A, Frank E, Doman J, Miller M |date=November 1995 |title=Inventory of Complicated Grief: a scale to measure maladaptive symptoms of loss |journal=Psychiatry Research |volume=59 |issue=1–2 |pages=65–79 |doi=10.1016/0165-1781(95)02757-2 |pmid=8771222 |s2cid=34298459}}{{Cite journal |last1=Kustanti |first1=Christina Yeni |last2=Chu |first2=Hsin |last3=Kang |first3=Xiao Linda |last4=Liu |first4=Doresses |last5=Pien |first5=Li-Chung |last6=Jen |first6=Hsiu-Ju |last7=Shen |first7=Shu-Tai H. |last8=Chen |first8=Jin-Hua |last9=Chou |first9=Kuei-Ru |date=August 2021 |title=Evaluation of the performance of instruments to diagnose grief disorders: A diagnostic meta-analysis |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2021.103972 |journal=International Journal of Nursing Studies |volume=120 |pages=103972 |doi=10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2021.103972 |pmid=34098452 |s2cid=235370943 |issn=0020-7489}} According to a 2020 systematic review, there were eleven assessment tools, three of which are designed for clinical interviews. The Traumatic Grief Inventory Self-Report{{Cite journal |last1=Boelen |first1=Paul A. |last2=Smid |first2=Geert E. |date=2017-01-27 |title=The Traumatic Grief Inventory Self-Report Version (TGI-SR): Introduction and Preliminary Psychometric Evaluation |journal=Journal of Loss and Trauma |volume=22 |issue=3 |pages=196–212 |doi=10.1080/15325024.2017.1284488 |s2cid=151537220 |issn=1532-5024|doi-access=free }} was the only assessment tool found to have empirical evidence supporting use as a diagnostic tool.

No specific causes guarantee onset of PGD. Known risk factors include one-time incidents along with chronic conditions and neurological abnormalities. One-time incidents include:

• The death was due to a violent method, such as homicide or suicide
• The death occurred in a hospital{{cite journal |vauthors=Wright AA, Keating NL, Balboni TA, Matulonis UA, Block SD, Prigerson HG |date=October 2010 |title=Place of death: correlations with quality of life of patients with cancer and predictors of bereaved caregivers' mental health |journal=Journal of Clinical Oncology |volume=28 |issue=29 |pages=4457–64 |doi=10.1200/JCO.2009.26.3863 |pmc=2988637 |pmid=20837950}}
• Miscarriage{{cite journal | vauthors = Kersting A, Wagner B | title = Complicated grief after perinatal loss | journal = Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience | volume = 14 | issue = 2 | pages = 187–94 | date = June 2012 | doi = 10.31887/DCNS.2012.14.2/akersting | pmid = 22754291 | pmc = 3384447 }}
• Lack of preparation for death, or high levels of anticipatory grief{{cite journal |vauthors=Barry LC, Kasl SV, Prigerson HG |year=2002 |title=Psychiatric disorders among bereaved persons: the role of perceived circumstances of death and preparedness for death |journal=The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry |volume=10 |issue=4 |pages=447–57 |doi=10.1176/appi.ajgp.10.4.447 |pmid=12095904}}{{cite journal |vauthors=Hebert RS, Dang Q, Schulz R |date=June 2006 |title=Preparedness for the death of a loved one and mental health in bereaved caregivers of patients with dementia: findings from the REACH study |journal=Journal of Palliative Medicine |volume=9 |issue=3 |pages=683–93 |doi=10.1089/jpm.2006.9.683 |pmid=16752974}}

Long-term predictors include:

• Childhood separation anxiety{{cite journal | vauthors = Vanderwerker LC, Jacobs SC, Parkes CM, Prigerson HG | title = An exploration of associations between separation anxiety in childhood and complicated grief in later life | journal = The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease | volume = 194 | issue = 2 | pages = 121–3 | date = February 2006 | pmid = 16477190 | doi = 10.1097/01.nmd.0000198146.28182.d5 | s2cid = 8995920 }}
• Controlling parents{{cite journal | vauthors = Johnson JG, Zhang B, Greer JA, Prigerson HG | title = Parental control, partner dependency, and complicated grief among widowed adults in the community | journal = The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease | volume = 195 | issue = 1 | pages = 26–30 | date = January 2007 | pmid = 17220736 | doi = 10.1097/01.nmd.0000252009.45915.b2 | s2cid = 45358849 }}
• Parental abuse or death (other than that of the bereaved death){{cite journal | vauthors = Silverman GK, Johnson JG, Prigerson HG | title = Preliminary explorations of the effects of prior trauma and loss on risk for psychiatric disorders in recently widowed people | journal = The Israel Journal of Psychiatry and Related Sciences | volume = 38 | issue = 3–4 | pages = 202–15 | year = 2001 | pmid = 11725418 }}
• Close kinship relationship to the deceased (e.g., parents){{cite journal | vauthors = Mitchell AM, Kim Y, Prigerson HG, Mortimer-Stephens M | title = Complicated grief in survivors of suicide | journal = Crisis | volume = 25 | issue = 1 | pages = 12–8 | year = 2004 | pmid = 15384652 | doi = 10.1027/0227-5910.25.1.12 }}
• Insecure attachment styles{{cite journal | vauthors = van Doorn C, Kasl SV, Beery LC, Jacobs SC, Prigerson HG | title = The influence of marital quality and attachment styles on traumatic grief and depressive symptoms | journal = The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease | volume = 186 | issue = 9 | pages = 566–73 | date = September 1998 | pmid = 9741563 | doi = 10.1097/00005053-199809000-00008 }}{{Cite journal |last1=Sekowski |first1=M |last2=Prigerson |first2=HG |date=2022 |title=Disorganized attachment and prolonged grief |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jclp.23325 |journal=Journal of Clinical Psychology |language=en |volume=78 |issue=9 |pages=1806–1823 |doi=10.1002/jclp.23325 |pmid=35132649 |issn=0021-9762}}
• Emotional dependency{{Cite journal|last1=Sekowski|first1=M.|last2=Prigerson|first2=H. G.|date=2021-07-01|title=Associations between interpersonal dependency and severity of prolonged grief disorder symptoms in bereaved surviving family members|journal=Comprehensive Psychiatry|language=en|volume=108|pages=152242|doi=10.1016/j.comppsych.2021.152242|issn=0010-440X|pmid=33979631|s2cid=234486311|doi-access=free}}
• Emotional closeness to the deceased before death{{Cite journal|last1=Sekowski|first1=M.|last2=Prigerson|first2=H. G.|title=Conflicted or close: Which relationships to the deceased are associated with loss-related psychopathology?|url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/bjc.12344|journal=British Journal of Clinical Psychology|year=2021|volume=61 |issue=2 |pages=510–526 |language=en|doi=10.1111/bjc.12344|pmid=34724233|s2cid=240422216|issn=2044-8260}}

PGD may be associated with activation of the nucleus accumbens{{cite journal | vauthors = O'Connor MF, Wellisch DK, Stanton AL, Eisenberger NI, Irwin MR, Lieberman MD | title = Craving love? Enduring grief activates brain's reward center | journal = NeuroImage | volume = 42 | issue = 2 | pages = 969–72 | date = August 2008 | pmid = 18559294 | pmc = 2553561 | doi = 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2008.04.256 }}

These risk factors and clinical correlates have been largely shown to relate to PGD symptoms and not symptoms of major depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.{{cite journal | vauthors = McDermott OD, Prigerson HG, Reynolds CF, Houck PR, Dew MA, Hall M, Mazumdar S, Buysse DJ, Hoch CC, Kupfer DJ | display-authors = 6 | title = Sleep in the wake of complicated grief symptoms: an exploratory study | journal = Biological Psychiatry | volume = 41 | issue = 6 | pages = 710–6 | date = March 1997 | pmid = 9066995 | doi = 10.1016/S0006-3223(96)00118-7 | s2cid = 22306103 }}

Treatment is strongly recommended for prolonged grief disorder. The first line treatment is Grief Focused Psychotherapy.{{cite journal | vauthors = Shear K, Frank E, Houck PR, Reynolds CF | title = Treatment of complicated grief: a randomized controlled trial | journal = JAMA | volume = 293 | issue = 21 | pages = 2601–8 | date = June 2005 | pmid = 15928281 | pmc = 5953417 | doi = 10.1001/jama.293.21.2601 }}{{cite journal | vauthors = Boelen PA, de Keijser J, van den Hout MA, van den Bout J | title = Treatment of complicated grief: a comparison between cognitive-behavioral therapy and supportive counseling | journal = Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology | volume = 75 | issue = 2 | pages = 277–84 | date = April 2007 | pmid = 17469885 | doi = 10.1037/0022-006X.75.2.277 }} Specifically, Prolonged Grief Therapy has the best evidence of effectiveness. Antidepressants may be combined with grief focused therapy when one is having symptoms of concomitant depression, including co-existing major depression. However, medications as a sole therapy for grief related symptoms has not been shown to be helpful and is not recommended.{{cite journal |last1=Shear |first1=M. Katherine |last2=Reynolds |first2=Charles F. |last3=Simon |first3=Naomi M. |last4=Zisook |first4=Sidney |last5=Wang |first5=Yuanjia |last6=Mauro |first6=Christine |last7=Duan |first7=Naihua |last8=Lebowitz |first8=Barry |last9=Skritskaya |first9=Natalia |title=Optimizing Treatment of Complicated Grief: A Randomized Clinical Trial |journal=JAMA Psychiatry |date=1 July 2016 |volume=73 |issue=7 |pages=685–694 |doi=10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2016.0892|pmid=27276373 |pmc=5735848 }}

A combination of relational and cognitive-behavioral interventions have shown evidence for efficacy when treating individuals who have lost loved ones to suicide. Exposure therapy has mixed evidence and in some cases intensifies symptoms, suggesting effectiveness does not vary significantly compared to non-exposure therapies especially with comorbid PTSD.{{Cite journal |last1=Eddinger |first1=Jasmine R. |last2=Hardt |first2=Madeleine M. |last3=Williams |first3=Joah L. |date=2019-06-13 |title=Concurrent Treatment for PTSD and Prolonged Grief Disorder: Review of Outcomes for Exposure- and Nonexposure-Based Treatments |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0030222819854907 |journal=OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying |volume=83 |issue=3 |pages=446–469 |doi=10.1177/0030222819854907 |pmid=31194639 |s2cid=189813903 |issn=0030-2228}} Group therapy has mixed evidence, and has been shown to be less helpful when compared to other treatments.

Due to the high prevalence of PGD in cancer caregivers who have lost a loved one, interventions have been targeted at this group to assess treatment management. Recent research has investigated bereavement care as a preventative method to improve grief outcomes and reduce grief disorders in familial cancer caregivers.{{Cite journal |last1=Morris |first1=Sue E. |last2=Sannes |first2=Timothy S. |date=January 2021 |title=Bereavement care for family caregivers of neuro-oncology patients |url=https://apm.amegroups.com/article/view/46177/html |journal=Annals of Palliative Medicine |volume=10 |issue=1 |pages=953–963 |doi=10.21037/apm-20-708|doi-access=free |pmid=32648450 }} Bereavement care involves providing support for the family at an initial cancer diagnosis, implementing palliative care early on in the disease trajectory. Bereavement care can include individual counseling services, peer support groups, and group programs led by clinicians working in the psychosocial sphere. There are multiple goals of bereavement support, which includes helping those in the grieving process adapt to the loss and helping them maintain and memorialize a connection to the deceased. Interventions focused on bereavement support, needs to address strategies for the individual to re-engage in social activities, as the act of caregiving may have reduced their social network and may point to caregivers needing additional assistance in building a new life post-loss. Other research has looked at religious practices as a coping method in treating PGD. A 2005 study found that bereaved adult cancer care givers, who engaged in spiritual/religious practices as a means of coping, had decreased physical healthcare visits at baseline assessment.{{Cite journal |last1=Kim |first1=Youngmee |last2=Given |first2=Barbara A. |date=2008 |title=Quality of life of family caregivers of cancer survivors |url=https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cncr.23449 |journal=Cancer |language=en |volume=112 |issue=S11 |pages=2556–2568 |doi=10.1002/cncr.23449 |issn=1097-0142}} However, this was not associated with one's health status at the 4 month follow up assessment. Research has shown that determining especially at risk family caregivers prior to the relative's death, by looking at the demographic characteristics linked to PGD, has assisted interventions in preventing abnormal grief symptoms up to 12 months post-loss. Evidence for complicated grief treatments suggest that treatment management based on cognitive-behavioral frameworks seem to be effective, which have included web based therapist interventions to reduce PGD.

In regards to young family members experiencing severe grief by losing a parent to cancer, research has been conducted on support groups for those bereaved individuals (aged 16-28 years).{{Cite journal |last1=Ing |first1=Veronica |last2=Patterson |first2=Pandora |last3=Szabo |first3=Marianna |last4=Allison |first4=Kimberley R |date=November 2022 |title=Interventions available to adolescents and young adults bereaved by familial cancer: a systematic literature review |url=https://spcare.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/bmjspcare-2019-001959 |journal=BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care |language=en |volume=12 |issue=e5 |pages=e632–e640 |doi=10.1136/bmjspcare-2019-001959 |pmid=31422375 |issn=2045-435X}} Support groups have been shown to help improve global well being in those who lost a patient to cancer and in improving life satisfaction. Interventions that target bereaved adolescent and young adult siblings can help them cope with their psychosocial needs, as research shows that more than half of bereaved siblings have displayed high levels of avoidance in addressing their grief following a sibling's death. A 2010 study, assessed the needs of bereaved young adult Australians (12-25 years), who had a sibling or parent pass from cancer, and identified social support and coping skills as unmet needs. In a 2019 systematic review, two camping retreats conducted by hospital faculty and volunteers aimed to provide a space where bereaved siblings, who lost a sibling to cancer, could relax and simultaneously connect with each other's experiences of grief. Other research has investigated interventions that target the remaining surviving parent and the child who lost a member to cancer.{{Cite journal |last1=Bergman |first1=Ann-Sofie |last2=Axberg |first2=Ulf |last3=Hanson |first3=Elizabeth |date=2017-08-10 |title=When a parent dies – a systematic review of the effects of support programs for parentally bereaved children and their caregivers |journal=BMC Palliative Care |volume=16 |issue=1 |pages=39 |doi=10.1186/s12904-017-0223-y |doi-access=free |issn=1472-684X |pmc=5553589 |pmid=28797262}} A 2005 intervention, called "The Parent Guidance Program," included six therapy sessions for families with children from ages 7-17 years. The program included six therapy sessions during the cancer patient's terminal phase and six sessions after the death of the patient, including family meetings. The main aim of this intervention was to help the child's adjustment to the loss of the parent with a cancer diagnosis by aiming to increase the surviving parent's competency in providing support for the children. This 2005 intervention displayed a small effect size in improving children's anxiety levels.

According to a 2017 meta-analysis, prevalence of prolonged grief is estimated to be 9.8%, although higher prevalence estimates, as high as 49%, are possible if the death was not due to natural causes.{{cite journal |last1= Boelen |first1= Paul |last2= Lenferink |first2= Lonneke |date= 2020 |title= Comparison of six proposed diagnostic criteria sets for disturbed grief |url= https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165178119325260 |journal= Psychiatry Research |volume= 285 |page= 112786 |doi= 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.112786|pmid= 32000105 |hdl= 1874/407971 |s2cid= 210928314 |hdl-access= free }}{{Cite journal |last1=Djelantik |first1=A.A.A. Manik J. |last2=Smid |first2=Geert E. |last3=Mroz |first3=Anna |last4=Kleber |first4=Rolf J. |last5=Boelen |first5=Paul A. |date=March 2020 |title=The prevalence of prolonged grief disorder in bereaved individuals following unnatural losses: Systematic review and meta regression analysis |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.01.034 |journal=Journal of Affective Disorders |volume=265 |pages=146–156 |doi=10.1016/j.jad.2020.01.034 |pmid=32090736 |hdl=1874/409914 |s2cid=211262942 |issn=0165-0327|hdl-access=free }} PGD is also more prevalent when the death is by a violent method such as homicide or suicide, with an estimated 70% of those with PGD in the study having been exposed to bereavement by a violent method.{{Cite journal |last1=Heeke |first1=Carina |last2=Kampisiou |first2=Christina |last3=Niemeyer |first3=Helen |last4=Knaevelsrud |first4=Christine |date=2017-12-29 |title=A systematic review and meta-analysis of correlates of prolonged grief disorder in adults exposed to violent loss |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2019.1583524 |journal=European Journal of Psychotraumatology |volume=8 |issue=sup6 |pages=1583524 |doi=10.1080/20008198.2019.1583524 |pmid=30949303 |pmc=6442112 |issn=2000-8198}} Conversely, PGD is less common in cases where the bereaved death was due to natural disasters.{{Cite journal |last1=Tal |first1=Ilanit |last2=Mauro |first2=Christine |last3=Reynolds |first3=Charles F. |last4=Shear |first4=M. Katherine |last5=Simon |first5=Naomi |last6=Lebowitz |first6=Barry |last7=Skritskaya |first7=Natalia |last8=Wang |first8=Yuanjia |last9=Qiu |first9=Xin |last10=Iglewicz |first10=Alana |last11=Glorioso |first11=Danielle |date=2016-11-28 |title=Complicated grief after suicide bereavement and other causes of death |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2016.1265028 |journal=Death Studies |volume=41 |issue=5 |pages=267–275 |doi=10.1080/07481187.2016.1265028 |issn=0748-1187 |pmid=27892842 |s2cid=205585458}} PGD has higher prevalence in women. There is a high comorbidity rate with somatic symptom disorders, depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, with PGS being observed as heterogenous.{{Cite journal |last1=Komischke-Konnerup |first1=Katrine B. |last2=Zachariae |first2=Robert |last3=Johannsen |first3=Maja |last4=Nielsen |first4=Louise Dyrvig |last5=O'Connor |first5=Maja |date=April 2021 |title=Co-occurrence of prolonged grief symptoms and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress in bereaved adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis |journal=Journal of Affective Disorders Reports |volume=4 |pages=100140 |doi=10.1016/j.jadr.2021.100140 |s2cid=233565546 |issn=2666-9153|doi-access=free }}

Losing a loved one to cancer can cause intense feelings of grief, as family members typically take on a caregiver role. {{Cite journal |last1=Kustanti |first1=Christina Yeni |last2=Chu |first2=Hsin |last3=Kang |first3=Xiao Linda |last4=Huang |first4=Tsai-Wei |last5=Jen |first5=Hsiu-Ju |last6=Liu |first6=Doresses |last7=Shen Hsiao |first7=Shu-Tai |last8=Chou |first8=Kuei-Ru |date=2022-02-01 |title=Prevalence of grief disorders in bereaved families of cancer patients: A meta-analysis |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/02692163211066747 |journal=Palliative Medicine |language=en |volume=36 |issue=2 |pages=305–318 |doi=10.1177/02692163211066747 |pmid=34965780 |issn=0269-2163}} Caregivers experience caregiver burden, due to the multifaceted role of caregiving, which can influence the level of grief experienced.{{Cite journal |last1=Treml |first1=Julia |last2=Schmidt |first2=Viktoria |last3=Nagl |first3=Michaela |last4=Kersting |first4=Anette |date=2021-09-01 |title=Pre-loss grief and preparedness for death among caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients: A systematic review |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0277953621005724 |journal=Social Science & Medicine |volume=284 |pages=114240 |doi=10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114240 |pmid=34303292 |issn=0277-9536}} Caregivers are often tasked with substantial unpaid care duties with many caregivers reporting feeling undertrained to provide extensive care.{{Cite journal |last1=Morris |first1=Sue E. |last2=Sannes |first2=Timothy S. |date=January 2021 |title=Bereavement care for family caregivers of neuro-oncology patients |url=https://apm.amegroups.com/article/view/46177/html |journal=Annals of Palliative Medicine |volume=10 |issue=1 |pages=953–963 |doi=10.21037/apm-20-708|doi-access=free |pmid=32648450 }} Stress that results from family caregivers of cancer patients have been shown to have negative impacts on psychological health, as poor psychological adjustments can lead to numerous mental health disorders.{{Cite journal |last1=Kim |first1=Youngmee |last2=Given |first2=Barbara A. |date=2008 |title=Quality of life of family caregivers of cancer survivors |url=https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cncr.23449 |journal=Cancer |language=en |volume=112 |issue=S11 |pages=2556–2568 |doi=10.1002/cncr.23449 |issn=1097-0142}} These disorders reported include anxiety and depression, as well as complicated grief or prolonged grief disorder. Sociodemographic and psychological factors have been linked to poorer psychological adjustment in bereaved family caregivers of cancer patients, which include a close bond to the deceased loved one, lack of social support, caregiver burden, feeling unprepared for the death of the relative, being of older age, and identifying as a woman.A 2021 meta-analysis identified a global prevalence of 14.2% in prolonged grief disorders among bereaved families dealing with cancer-related deaths. In this same meta-analysis, females exhibited increased grief disorders when compared to males.{{Cite journal |last1=Kustanti |first1=Christina Yeni |last2=Chu |first2=Hsin |last3=Kang |first3=Xiao Linda |last4=Huang |first4=Tsai-Wei |last5=Jen |first5=Hsiu-Ju |last6=Liu |first6=Doresses |last7=Shen Hsiao |first7=Shu-Tai |last8=Chou |first8=Kuei-Ru |date=2022-02-01 |title=Prevalence of grief disorders in bereaved families of cancer patients: A meta-analysis |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/02692163211066747 |journal=Palliative Medicine |language=en |volume=36 |issue=2 |pages=305–318 |doi=10.1177/02692163211066747 |pmid=34965780 |issn=0269-2163}} Families that were experiencing a loved one with neurological cancers also exhibited an increased number of prolonged grief disorder in comparison to other various cancer types. In a 2020 review article, research suggested that bereaved family caregivers of patient's with brain tumors, reported feeling underprepared to assist in end-of-life care and regretted not seeking hospice care earlier.{{Cite journal |last1=Morris |first1=Sue E. |last2=Sannes |first2=Timothy S. |date=January 2021 |title=Bereavement care for family caregivers of neuro-oncology patients |url=https://apm.amegroups.com/article/view/46177/html |journal=Annals of Palliative Medicine |volume=10 |issue=1 |pages=953–963 |doi=10.21037/apm-20-708|doi-access=free |pmid=32648450 }} Research has also been assessed in familial caregivers who have experienced a loss of a loved one due to High-Grade Glioma, which has indicated that many experience extreme grief and report unmet needs in regards to their role as a caregiver. Studies have assessed pre-loss grief as a factor in post-loss adjustment, suggesting that preparedness for death in caregivers may be a protective factor in post-loss adjustment.{{Cite journal |last1=Treml |first1=Julia |last2=Schmidt |first2=Viktoria |last3=Nagl |first3=Michaela |last4=Kersting |first4=Anette |date=2021-09-01 |title=Pre-loss grief and preparedness for death among caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients: A systematic review |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0277953621005724 |journal=Social Science & Medicine |volume=284 |pages=114240 |doi=10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114240 |pmid=34303292 |issn=0277-9536}} Pre-loss grief, refers to grief experienced before the loss of the patient, and has been associated with increased levels of PGD and increased depressive symptoms post-loss. A 2024 systematic review found that Taiwanese family members who were involved in mostly cancer caregiving, could be at risk for PGD if they felt ill-prepared for the relative's death.{{Cite journal |last1=Liang |first1=Hui-Ju |last2=Xiong |first2=Qian |last3=Remawi |first3=Bader Nael |last4=Preston |first4=Nancy |date=2024-01-11 |title=Taiwanese family members' bereavement experience following an expected death: a systematic review and narrative synthesis |journal=BMC Palliative Care |volume=23 |issue=1 |pages=14 |doi=10.1186/s12904-024-01344-3 |doi-access=free |issn=1472-684X |pmc=10782629 |pmid=38212776}} Two review articles based in Europe, indicated that abnormal grief could be linked to decreased levels of preparedness for a family member's death.

There exists conflicting evidence on whether PGD is more or less common in eastern countries compared to western countries.Different criteria sets in assessing PGD have made it difficult to compare Asian countries and Global North prevalence rates in grief disorders.{{Cite journal |last1=Stelzer |first1=Eva-Maria |last2=Zhou |first2=Ningning |last3=Maercker |first3=Andreas |last4=O’Connor |first4=Mary-Frances |last5=Killikelly |first5=Clare |date=2020-01-10 |title=Prolonged Grief Disorder and the Cultural Crisis |journal=Frontiers in Psychology |language=English |volume=10 |page=2982 |doi=10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02982 |doi-access=free |issn=1664-1078 |pmc=6967836 |pmid=31998204}} However, according to a meta-analysis conducted in 2024, which pooled prevalence rates among five studies from China and Japan, the prevalence rate of prolonged grief disorder was found to be 8.9%.{{Cite journal |last=Le |first=Hoang |date=2024-10-04 |title=Prevalence of Prolonged Grief Disorder Adult Bereavement in East Asia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis |url=https://griefthejournal.com/index.php/grief/article/view/36 |journal=Grief |language=en |volume=1 |issue=2 |pages=15–34 |doi=10.70089/axhcdc42 |issn=3064-7681}} This meta-analysis suggests that cultural practices regarding death in eastern countries may provide evidence for decreased PGD prevalence compared to western countries. Expressions of grief and symptoms of prolonged grief disorder have been shown to vary across cultures in some studies.{{Cite journal |last1=Hilberdink |first1=Charlotte E. |last2=Ghainder |first2=Kevin |last3=Dubanchet |first3=Alexandre |last4=Hinton |first4=Devon |last5=Djelantik |first5=A. A. A. Manik J. |last6=Hall |first6=Brian J. |last7=Bui |first7=Eric |date=January 2023 |title=Bereavement issues and prolonged grief disorder: A global perspective |journal=Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health |language=en |volume=10 |pages=e32 |doi=10.1017/gmh.2023.28 |issn=2054-4251 |pmc=10579660 |pmid=37854407}} In one cross-cultural comparison, Chinese bereaved parents reported increased views of feeling that life was "empty" in comparison to the sample of Swiss bereaved parents, with Swiss parents showing increased levels of grief-related preoccupation. Bereavement in Chinese individuals has also been reported to involve more somatic stress responses, as expression of grief can be influenced by varying cultures and cultural rituals. Grief hallucinations and trauma-related distress are often reported among those with PGD in Chinese individuals but are less prevalent and commonplace in the Global North. In a 2024 systematic review that analyzed Taiwanese Families experiencing bereavement, which mostly included families of cancer patients, religion was observed as a protective factor in bereavement, as cultural and religious beliefs are held in terms of reuniting with their loved ones after death.{{Cite journal |last1=Liang |first1=Hui-Ju |last2=Xiong |first2=Qian |last3=Remawi |first3=Bader Nael |last4=Preston |first4=Nancy |date=2024-01-11 |title=Taiwanese family members' bereavement experience following an expected death: a systematic review and narrative synthesis |journal=BMC Palliative Care |volume=23 |issue=1 |pages=14 |doi=10.1186/s12904-024-01344-3 |doi-access=free |issn=1472-684X |pmc=10782629 |pmid=38212776}} Some cultures participate in religious mourning rituals, which has been researched as a preventative method in developing PGD.

The DSM-IV and ICD-10 do not distinguish between normal and prolonged grief.{{cite book |author=American Psychiatric Association |year=1994 |title=Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-IV |edition=4th |location=Washington |publisher=American Psychiatric Press |isbn=978-0-89042-062-1 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/diagnosticstatis00amer_0 }}{{page needed|date=July 2012}}National Center for Health Statistics (2009) International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10).; Available at: [https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/about/otheract/icd9/abticd10.htm CDC]. Accessed 12 July 2012. Based on numerous findings of maladaptive effects of prolonged grief, diagnostic criteria for PGD have been proposed for inclusion in the DSM-5 and ICD-11.{{cite journal | vauthors = Boelen PA, Prigerson HG | title = Commentary on the inclusion of persistent complex bereavement-related disorder in DSM-5 | journal = Death Studies | volume = 36 | issue = 9 | pages = 771–94 | date = October 2012 | pmid = 24563927 | doi = 10.1080/07481187.2012.706982 | s2cid = 44547916 }} In 2018, the WHO included PGD in the ICD-11,{{cite journal |last1= Kilikelly |first1= Clare |last2= Zhou |first2= Ningning |last3= Merzhvynska |first3= Mariia |last4= Stelzer |first4= Eva-Maria |last5= Dotschung |first5= Tenzin |last6= Rohner |first6= Stefan |last7= Sun |first7= Lea Han |last8= Maercker |first8= Andreas |date= 2020 |title= Development of the International Prolonged Grief Disorder Scale for the ICD-11: measurement of core symptoms and culture items adapted for Chinese and German-speaking samples |journal= Journal of Affective Disorders |volume= 277 |pages= 568–576 |doi= 10.1016/j.jad.2020.08.057|pmid= 32896722 |doi-access= free }} and in March 2022 the American Psychiatric Association added PGD in the DSM-5-TR.

The proposed diagnostic criteria were the result of statistical analysis of a set of criteria agreed upon by a panel of experts.{{cite journal |display-authors=6 |vauthors=Prigerson HG, Shear MK, Jacobs SC, Reynolds CF, Maciejewski PK, Davidson JR, Rosenheck R, Pilkonis PA, Wortman CB, Williams JB, Widiger TA, Frank E, Kupfer DJ, Zisook S |date=January 1999 |title=Consensus criteria for traumatic grief. A preliminary empirical test |journal=The British Journal of Psychiatry |volume=174 |pages=67–73 |doi=10.1192/bjp.174.1.67 |pmid=10211154 |s2cid=19235992}} The analyses produced criteria that were the most accurate markers of bereaved individuals with painful, persistent, destructive PGD. The criteria for PGD have been validated and dozens of studies both internationally and domestically are being conducted, and published, that validate the PGD criteria in other cultures, kinship relationships to the deceased and causes of death (e.g. earthquakes, tsunami, war, genocide, fires, bombings, palliative and acute care settings).{{cite journal | vauthors = Rodríguez Villar S, Sánchez Casado M, Prigerson HG, Mesa García S, Rodríguez Villar M, Hortigüela Martín VA, Marco Schulke CM, Barrientos Vega R, Quintana M | display-authors = 6 | title = Prolonged grief disorder in the next of kin of adult patients who die during or after admission to intensive care | journal = Chest | volume = 141 | issue = 6 | pages = 1635–1636 | date = June 2012 | pmid = 22670028 | doi = 10.1378/chest.11-3099 | doi-access = free }}{{cite journal | vauthors = Morina N, von Lersner U, Prigerson HG | title = War and bereavement: consequences for mental and physical distress | journal = PLOS ONE | volume = 6 | issue = 7 | pages = e22140 | year = 2011 | pmid = 21765944 | pmc = 3134481 | doi = 10.1371/journal.pone.0022140 | editor1-last = Laks | bibcode = 2011PLoSO...622140M | editor1-first = Jerson | doi-access = free }}

Traumatic grief or complicated grief was a term initially used to identify a complex syndrome in which an individual experiences a unique distress resulting from the simultaneous occurrence of psychological trauma and the loss of a loved one. PTSD and PGD, while being separate diagnoses, do have overlap, as both include similar symptoms of intrusive thoughts relating to death, experiencing numbness to emotions, and possible disturbances in sleep. The central components of complicated grief originally included yearning, separation distress, and inability to acknowledge the loss.{{Cite journal |last1=Mitchell |first1=Ann M. |last2=Kim |first2=Yookyung |last3=Prigerson |first3=Holly G. |last4=Mortimer-Stephens |first4=MaryKay |date=January 2004 |title=Complicated Grief in Survivors of Suicide |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910.25.1.12 |journal=Crisis |volume=25 |issue=1 |pages=12–18 |doi=10.1027/0227-5910.25.1.12 |issn=0227-5910 |pmid=15384652}}

Although evidence suggesting the validity of PGD has existed since 1995, its inclusion into the DSM-5-TR and ICD-11 was slow, including many rejections of earlier proposals for inclusion as a diagnosis.

Recognizing prolonged grief as a disorder was argued to allow it to be better understood, detected, studied and treated. The idea that PGD was a distinct disorder that showed persistency in terms of symptoms was also understood as a primary argument.{{Cite journal |last1=Reed |first1=Geoffrey M. |last2=First |first2=Michael B. |last3=Billieux |first3=Joël |last4=Cloitre |first4=Marylene |last5=Briken |first5=Peer |last6=Achab |first6=Sophia |last7=Brewin |first7=Chris R. |last8=King |first8=Daniel L. |last9=Kraus |first9=Shane W. |last10=Bryant |first10=Richard A. |date=June 2022 |title=Emerging experience with selected new categories in the ICD -11: complex PTSD , prolonged grief disorder, gaming disorder, and compulsive sexual behaviour disorder |journal=World Psychiatry |language=en |volume=21 |issue=2 |pages=189–213 |doi=10.1002/wps.20960 |issn=1723-8617 |pmc=9077619 |pmid=35524599}} This argument also underscored the urgent evidence that PGD has been associated with increased rates of other mental disorders, including PTSD, suicidality, and depression. However, inclusion of PGD in the DSM-5 and ICD-11 was thought at risk of being misunderstood as medicalization of grief, as some thought that introducing PGD would result in over-prescriptions of psychotropic medication and abnormalize normal grief reactions. Another argument against the inclusion of PGD included concerns over cultural differences in persistent grief, as different cultures might experience grief differently.{{Cite journal |last1=Reed |first1=Geoffrey M. |last2=First |first2=Michael B. |last3=Billieux |first3=Joël |last4=Cloitre |first4=Marylene |last5=Briken |first5=Peer |last6=Achab |first6=Sophia |last7=Brewin |first7=Chris R. |last8=King |first8=Daniel L. |last9=Kraus |first9=Shane W. |last10=Bryant |first10=Richard A. |date=June 2022 |title=Emerging experience with selected new categories in the ICD -11: complex PTSD , prolonged grief disorder, gaming disorder, and compulsive sexual behaviour disorder |journal=World Psychiatry |language=en |volume=21 |issue=2 |pages=189–213 |doi=10.1002/wps.20960 |issn=1723-8617 |pmc=9077619 |pmid=35524599}} In spite of this concern, studies have shown good accuracy for the ICD-11 and DSM-5-TR definitions, and that nearly all bereaved individuals who met the criteria for PGD were receptive to treatment and their families relieved to know they had a recognizable syndrome.{{cite journal |vauthors=Johnson JG, First MB, Block S, Vanderwerker LC, Zivin K, Zhang B, Prigerson HG |date=September 2009 |title=Stigmatization and receptivity to mental health services among recently bereaved adults |journal=Death Studies |volume=33 |issue=8 |pages=691–711 |doi=10.1080/07481180903070392 |pmc=2834798 |pmid=19697482}} In addition, a 2020 study found that labeling PGD symptoms with a grief-specific diagnosis does not produce additional public stigma beyond the stigma of these severe grief reactions alone.{{cite journal |last1=Gonschor |first1=Judith |last2=Eisma |first2=Maarten |last3=Barke |first3=Antonia |last4=Doering |first4=Bettina |date=2020 |title=Public stigma towards prolonged grief disorder: Does diagnostic labeling matter? |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=15 |issue=9 |pages=e0237021 |bibcode=2020PLoSO..1537021G |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0237021 |pmc=7485774 |pmid=32915800 |doi-access=free}}

{{reflist|30em}}

Category:Grief

Category:Types of mental disorders

Category:Disorders specifically associated with stress