Article Sections

Introduction

Grief is a natural and normal process in response to bereavement (the death of a loved one) and includes a wide range of emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and physical experiences.  Most individuals adapt to the loss, resulting in decreased intensity of symptoms over time.  However, others develop prolonged grief disorder: a persistent, disabling grief response characterized by yearning for and preoccupation with the deceased individual.

Epidemiology and risk factors

Uncomplicated grief

Grief is universal, and about 60% of the population is bereaved at any given time.

Prolonged grief disorder

The estimated lifetime prevalence of prolonged grief disorder among the general population is 2%-5%.  Several factors may increase the likelihood of developing prolonged grief disorder, including older age, psychological factors (eg, comorbid psychiatric illness, anxious or insecure attachment style), and environmental factors (eg, death of a child or spouse/partner, death by violent means, multiple losses).

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