Symptoms and Behaviours of Unresolved Grief

Lindemann (1944), Lazare (1979) and Worden (2005) have identified numerous symptoms and behaviours that indicate unresolved / complicated grief. While many of the symptoms identified can be considered ordinary during the more acute earlier phase of grief, they are considered major signs of unresolved / complicated grief if they remain for unusually prolonged periods of time.
Also, the more symptoms an individual exhibits, the more likely they are experiencing unresolved grief (Worden, 2005; Freeman, 2005). Some of the symptoms are listed below:

Lindemann’s symptoms

Over activity without a sense of purpose
Acquisition of symptoms belonging to the last illness of the deceased
Alteration in relationships with friends and relatives
Lasting loss of patterns of social interaction
Agitated depression with tension, insomnia, feelings of worthlessness, self accusation, obvious need for punishment and even suicidal tendencies
Furious hostility towards someone connected to the death.

Lazare’s symptoms

Unwillingness to move the possessions of the deceased even after a reasonable amount of time has passed.
A depressive syndrome to varying degrees of severity
Symptoms of guilt and self reproach, panic attacks and somatic symptoms
Somatic symptoms representing identification with the deceased, often symptoms of the terminal illness
A feeling that the death has occurred yesterday even though the loss took place a long while back
Inability to discuss the deceased without crying
Changes in current relationships following death
A history of delayed or prolonged grief

Worden’s symptoms

Inability to speak of the deceased without experiencing intense grief emotions
Unaccountable sadness during various times of the year
Self destructive themes
Radical changes in lifestyle
Phobias about illness or death
Over identification with the deceased leading to compulsion to imitate the dead person
A relatively minor event triggering a major grief reaction.
Exclusion of friends, family members or activities associated with the deceased.

References:

Freeman, S (2005). Grief and Loss: Understanding the Journey. Belmont, CA: Thompson Brooks/ Cole.
Williamson. J.B. & Shneidman, E. (1995). Death: Current Perspectives. (4th ed.). California: Mayfield Publishing Company
Worden, J.W. (2005). Grief Couselling and Grief Therapy: Handbook for Mental Practitioners (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.

Source: http://www.counsellingconnection.com/index.php/2012/03/22/symptoms-and-behaviours-of-unresolved-grief/
Posted in Blog Posts, Professional Development on March 22, 2012 0
This article is an extract of Mental Health Academy’s Complicated Grief professional development course.