Prolonged Grief Disorder: Understanding When Grief Doesn’t Ease

Losing someone you love is never simple. Over time, most people find that their profound sadness gradually ebbs, making space for daily routines and connections. But for some, the pain remains just as raw and insistent, even months—or years—later. In those cases, mental health professionals may consider a diagnosis of prolonged grief disorder (PGD).

What Exactly Is PGD?

PGD is characterized by an intense, persistent longing or preoccupation with the deceased. While sadness is a normal part of grieving, PGD goes a step further by significantly disrupting daily life over an extended period—beyond what a person’s culture or community would typically expect. In DSM-5-TR, the loss must be at least one year ago for adults, though some criteria and international guidelines use a six-month timeframe.

Key symptoms include:

• Ongoing, intense yearning or sadness over the deceased.

• Difficulty accepting the finality of the loss—sometimes feeling it’s still unreal or impossible.

• A sense of emptiness or lost identity, as if a core part of oneself disappeared with the loved one.

• Avoidance of reminders of the person’s absence (for instance, steering clear of places that hold special memories).

• Emotional numbness or waves of overwhelming sorrow that don’t lessen over time.

It’s not uncommon for people with PGD to feel detached from friends and family, find it hard to enjoy hobbies, or lose interest in future plans they once looked forward to. Some describe this as going through the motions of life “on autopilot,” while constantly wishing they could turn back time.

Overlap With Other Conditions

Because the symptoms of PGD—especially persistent sadness and preoccupation—can resemble those of depression or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), people are often misdiagnosed. While medications for mood or anxiety can sometimes help certain co-occurring issues (like major depression), they may not address the core experience of ongoing grief. This is part of why recognizing PGD in its own right can be so important.

Why Diagnosis Matters

When prolonged grief is recognized as a distinct issue, it opens the door to more tailored support. For example, some individuals also have depression or anxiety symptoms alongside PGD. In those situations, a clinician can make more informed medication decisions—treating overlapping mood or anxiety challenges while keeping in mind that the grief itself has different roots.

Looking Ahead

Grief is personal and can take many forms. If you’ve lost someone and find that life feels perpetually “on hold,” you may be experiencing prolonged grief disorder. Identifying PGD can help you—and your healthcare providers—more accurately gauge which treatments and coping strategies might bring relief. While no solution completely erases the sadness, the right recognition and care can help you begin to move forward, carrying your loved one’s memory without remaining frozen in that initial wave of loss.