When Grief Won't Let Go
Everyone says time heals all wounds, but what happens when the world keeps moving and you feel trapped in the moment someone you love died?
In this episode of Off the Couch Psychology, Dr. Jerry Cunningham explores Prolonged Grief Disorder, a condition where the pain of losing someone becomes so overwhelming that moving forward feels almost impossible.
You'll discover how prolonged grief differs from normal grieving, why some people struggle to reconnect with life, and what psychology tells us about finding a way forward. We'll also explore treatments that can help you honor someone you've lost while learning to live again.
And through a touching story about a heart kept inside a bottle, you'll discover why protecting yourself from pain can sometimes keep you from experiencing life.
Key Takeaways-
Understand prolonged grief disorder and its warning signs.
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Learn how prolonged grief differs from depression and normal grieving.
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Discover evidence-based treatments that can help.
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Explore practical ways to reconnect with life.
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Learn how to honor your loved one while moving forward.
Visit www.Quest-Success.com for more episodes and resources.
Suggested Reading & References-
American Psychiatric Association (2022). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR). Diagnostic criteria for prolonged grief disorder.
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Szuhany, K. L., Malgaroli, M., Miron, C. D., & Simon, N. M. (2021). Prolonged Grief Disorder: Course, Diagnosis, Assessment, and Treatment. Focus, 19(2), 161–172.
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Shear, M. K., et al. (2016). Optimizing Treatment of Complicated Grief: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Psychiatry, 73(7), 685–694.
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Jeffers, Oliver. (2010). The Heart and the Bottle. Philomel Books. A moving illustrated story about loss, emotional protection, and rediscovering life.
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Columbia University Center for Prolonged Grief. Educational resources about prolonged grief disorder and grief-focused treatment. prolongedgrief.columbia.edu
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