Grief

[Maggiejosmom]

Is there an actual diagnosis of "complicated grief", and if so what is it and how is it resolved?

[Maggiejosmom]

Thank you. I will look at the Mayo site.

[Anneinside]

The primary treatment for complicated grief is counseling. The only time you would get medication would be if you also developed depression.

[Anneinside]

I googled complicated grief and found information at the Mayo.com site.  "For some people, feelings of loss are debilitating and don't improve even after time passes. This is known as complicated grief. In complicated grief, painful emotions are so long lasting and severe that you have trouble accepting the loss and resuming your own life." Symptoms include:
    "Extreme focus on the loss and reminders of the loved one
    Intense longing or pining for the deceased
    Problems accepting the death
    Numbness or detachment
    Preoccupation with your sorrow
    Bitterness about your loss
    Inability to enjoy life
    Depression or deep sadness
    Trouble carrying out normal routines
    Withdrawing from social activities
    Feeling that life holds no meaning or purpose
    Irritability or agitation
    Lack of trust in others"

[Maggiejosmom]

The term "complicated grief" came up on The Compassionate Friends site, which is a organization for people who have lost children. My youngest son was diagnosised with neuroblastoma when he was 2 yrs old. He had chemo, radiation, and a bone marrow transplant over about a year and a half. At the same time I also had a 4 yr old and was in a very abusive marriage. Through the years I learned to juggle being a single mom to my 2 boys, and a nurse to my youngest. A few years ago I was given the diagnosis of PTSD. Then, on Dec 12th my son suddenly became ill with pneumonia and passed away. This was completely unexpected. That really kicked up the PTSD, I have memory loss, ect. and now also have a diagnosed with cyclical vomiting syndrome, which is tied into the PTSD.I am trying to process this grief but I just can't seem to get there.Instead the stress manifests physically to where I start vomiting with excruciating stomach cramps, and then end up in the hosp with dehydration and electrolyte replacement. This is so frustrating as I logicaly know whats happening but physically i cant stop it. And the way to stop the CVS is IV fluids and meds. I think im going crazy. i do have a good doc and therapist. It's just that the last 19 yrs my life was my kids, now i dont even know what my life is. My oldest is doing well and my youngest is gone.

[4Maddie44]

Hello, would you like to expand your question  for us please.  What is it you are going through at the moment?  Can you talk about it to us?  We want to help.

Who told you about complicated grief?  Is that what you are feeling now?

Sorry to ask so many questions, but people like remar and myself want to help.

[remar]

I've never heard the term complicated grief before. I would imagine counseling would help depending on the circumstances of the situation. There are different types of therapy. Grief, trauma, OCD and so on.