Complicated & Prolonged Grief
When grief doesn't follow the expected path.
For many people, grief — however painful — gradually softens. For some, it doesn't, and the pain stays as raw at 12 months as it was at 12 days. This is not weakness. It can be a recognised condition, and it is treatable.
What prolonged grief can look like
- Intense yearning or preoccupation with the person that doesn't lessen over months
- Inability to accept the death — feeling stuck in disbelief
- Emotional numbness or detachment from others
- A sense that life has no meaning or purpose without them
- Difficulty engaging in activities, work, or relationships
- Avoidance of reminders OR obsessive focus on reminders
If several of these have been present for 6+ months and are significantly impacting your daily life, it may be prolonged grief disorder.
Grief vs depression
Grief and depression can look similar but are different. For many, grief comes in waves — moments of joy can still break through. Depression is often more constant — a flat, heavy blanket over everything. Both can be present at the same time. A GP can help distinguish them.
Treatment in Australia
Prolonged grief disorder often responds well to specialist grief therapy — particularly a type called Complicated Grief Treatment (CGT). Your GP can write a Mental Health Care Plan for up to 10 subsidised sessions with a psychologist who specialises in grief. There is no shame in needing help with this.
See all 64 guides in Grief & healing →
From bluetulipco.com/library/grief/complicated-grief — printed 1 October 2026.
General information only — not a substitute for legal, medical, financial, or therapeutic advice. Read the full disclaimer.
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