Grief is one of the most painful experiences people go through, and there’s no right way or right timeline to grieve. For most people, grief gradually softens, even if it never fully goes away. For some, though, grief stays intense and all-consuming long after a loss, making it hard to function or imagine a future. That’s prolonged grief disorder, a condition recognized in 2022. This guide explains grief vs depression, the signs of prolonged grief disorder, and treatment options that help.
What Is Prolonged Grief Disorder?
Prolonged grief disorder is a condition in which grief after the death of a loved one remains intense and disabling for at least 12 months in adults, or six months in children and adolescents, with symptoms present most days and interfering with daily life. It was added to the DSM-5-TR in 2022 and is also included in the ICD-11.
It affects a meaningful minority of bereaved people. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 studies found a pooled prevalence of 9.8% among bereaved adults after non-violent losses, and higher mean age was associated with higher prevalence. A JAMA Psychiatry article on the new criteria cites rates of 7% to 10% among bereaved people.
Pooled prevalence after non-violent bereavement, with 95% confidence interval.
Signs of Grief That Won’t Go Away
Signs of grief that won’t go away include intense yearning for the person who died, constant preoccupation with them, and, for at least a month nearly every day, symptoms such as disbelief about the death, emotional numbness, feeling part of yourself has died, avoiding reminders, intense emotional pain, loneliness, and a sense that life is meaningless.
- Yearning: intense longing for the person who died.
- Preoccupation: constant thoughts or memories of them.
- Identity disruption: feeling part of yourself has died.
- Disbelief: difficulty accepting the death.
- Meaninglessness: feeling life has no purpose without them.
Grief isn't a problem to fix. But when it stays frozen in place for a year or more, it's okay to ask for help moving again.
Grief vs Depression
The difference between grief vs depression is that grief centers on longing for the person who died, with pain that often comes in waves tied to reminders, while depression involves a more pervasive low mood, loss of interest in almost everything, and often feelings of worthlessness. Prolonged grief disorder can occur alongside depression, and both can be treated.
| Normal grief | Prolonged grief disorder | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Longing for the person, in waves | Intense, constant yearning and preoccupation |
| Duration | Gradually softens over time | Remains intense 12+ months after the loss |
| Daily life | Returns over time | Significantly impaired |
| Compared with depression | Self-worth usually intact | Can co-occur with depression |
Grief can also trigger depression, especially in people with a history of it. If you notice persistent hopelessness, loss of interest, or thoughts of death beyond wanting to be with the person who died, it’s important to be evaluated.
Is grief still overwhelming?
A compassionate evaluation can help. By telehealth across South Carolina and New York.
Complicated Grief and Prolonged Grief Disorder
Complicated grief is an older, related term for grief that becomes stuck and impairing; prolonged grief disorder is the formal diagnosis now used in the DSM-5-TR and ICD-11. The terms are often used interchangeably, though they came from different research groups.
Some losses carry higher risk, including sudden, violent, or unexpected deaths, the death of a child or partner, and losses with limited social support. A 2022 study of DSM-5-TR prolonged grief disorder highlighted that clinicians should pay particular attention to such high-risk groups.
Grief Treatment Options
Grief treatment options for prolonged grief disorder include grief-focused psychotherapy, which helps people process the loss, restore connection to life, and adapt to a world without the person, and treatment for co-occurring depression or anxiety when present. Support groups can also help.
- Acknowledge the loss. Allow space to talk about the person and the death.
- Name what’s stuck. Identify thoughts or avoidance that keep grief frozen.
- Revisit memories safely. Work through painful memories with a trained therapist.
- Reconnect with life. Gradually return to relationships and meaningful activities.
- Treat co-occurring conditions. Address depression or anxiety alongside grief.
Medication isn’t a treatment for grief itself, but antidepressants may help when depression or anxiety is also present. Our guides to anxiety and depression together and psychiatrists vs therapists explain those options.
Grief that won’t loosen
A year or more after a loss, grief still dominates every day.
Grief-focused care
An evaluation that separates grief from depression and a therapy approach built for grief.
Carrying the loss differently
The pain softens enough to reconnect with life while honoring the person.
Dr. Gabriella Farkas, MD PhD
Board-certified adult psychiatrist with a PhD in neuroscience. Dr. Farkas approaches grief with compassion and clarifies when it has become prolonged grief or depression.
About Dr. Farkas →When to Get Help for Grief
Get help for grief if it remains intense and disabling a year or more after the loss, if you can’t function at work or home, or if you’re having thoughts of not wanting to live. You don’t have to wait a year to ask for support; help is available at any point in grief.
If you’re having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 in the US. A comprehensive adult psychiatric evaluation can clarify whether you’re experiencing prolonged grief, depression, or both, and our guide to adjustment disorder covers other stress-related reactions.
Key Terms
- Prolonged grief disorder
- Intense, disabling grief lasting at least 12 months after a death in adults.
- Complicated grief
- An older term for grief that becomes stuck and impairing.
- Bereavement
- The period of mourning after the death of someone close.
- Grief-focused therapy
- Psychotherapy designed to help people process a loss and reconnect with life.
Common Questions About Grief
What is prolonged grief disorder?
Prolonged grief disorder is intense, disabling grief that lasts at least 12 months after a death in adults, with yearning, preoccupation, and symptoms such as disbelief, numbness, or a sense of meaninglessness most days. It was added to the DSM-5-TR in 2022. It's treatable. It's not a weakness. Help is available.
How is grief different from depression?
Grief centers on longing for the person who died, with pain often coming in waves, while depression involves pervasive low mood, loss of interest in almost everything, and often feelings of worthlessness. They can overlap. Grief can trigger depression. Both are treatable. An evaluation can clarify it. Your pace is respected.
How common is prolonged grief disorder?
A meta-analysis found that about 9.8% of bereaved adults met criteria for prolonged grief disorder after non-violent losses, and rates may be higher after sudden or violent deaths. Older age was linked to higher rates. It's not rare. Many don't seek help. Support works. Your pace is respected. Support is available.
Is complicated grief the same as prolonged grief disorder?
Complicated grief is an older, related term, and prolonged grief disorder is the formal diagnosis now used in the DSM-5-TR and ICD-11; the terms are often used interchangeably. They came from different research groups. The core idea is similar. Grief that stays stuck deserves care. Treatment helps. Your pace is respected.
How is prolonged grief disorder treated?
Prolonged grief disorder is treated mainly with grief-focused psychotherapy that helps people process the loss and reconnect with life, along with treatment for depression or anxiety if present. Support groups can help. Medication doesn't treat grief itself. It may help related symptoms. Progress is gradual. Your pace is respected. Support is available.
Should I wait a year before getting help for grief?
No, you don't need to wait a year to get help for grief; support is available at any point, even though prolonged grief disorder is diagnosed after 12 months in adults. Early support can help. Depression may need treatment sooner. Thoughts of suicide need urgent care. Reach out when you need to.
Can I get help for grief by telehealth?
Yes, Dr. Farkas evaluates prolonged grief, depression, and related conditions by secure telehealth for adults in South Carolina and New York, which can be easier during a painful time. You'll need a private space. A device with a camera works well. Therapy referrals can be arranged. Follow-ups use the same platform.
Grief can soften, with the right support.
Compassionate care for loss.
Sources
- Lundorff M, et al. “Prevalence of prolonged grief disorder in adult bereavement: a systematic review and meta-analysis.” Journal of Affective Disorders, 2017;212:138–149. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28167398/
- JAMA Psychiatry. “Article on the DSM-5-TR prolonged grief disorder criteria (article 2788766).” JAMA Psychiatry, 2022. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/2788766
- Treml J, et al. “Study of DSM-5-TR prolonged grief disorder prevalence.” Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2022 (doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.880380). https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.880380/pdf
Educational content only. This article does not constitute medical advice and does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or call 911. Treatment decisions should be made with a qualified clinician familiar with your circumstances. Last reviewed: September 2026.