Sometimes grieving people experience great difficulty coping with loss, anxiety, depression, addiction, and trauma and become overwhelmed by intense and persistent grief symptoms. In situations where loss has been sudden, traumatic or death is involved, approximately 1 in 6 people experience chronic grief, also known as complicated or incomplete grief. Chronic grief can also occur in response to unresolved childhood trauma, as well as present day situations such as the loss of an important relationship or job. If you - or someone you love - see your loss as devastating or insurmountable, normal reactions to loss can become symptoms that interfere with life. For example, sadness and anger can turn into depression, bitterness, apathy or rage. Other features of chronic grief include a sense of disbelief regarding the loss, recurrent pangs of painful emotions with intense longing for a lost loved one, avoidance of situations that are reminders of the painful loss, and a preoccupation with thoughts of the loved one, often involving distressing, intrusive thoughts related to the loss. When your psychological coping skills become overloaded in this way, the healing process becomes blocked, and unhealthy grief takes over. Left untreated, chronic grief is associated with negative health outcomes, which may include major depression, substance abuse and persistent illness. If you find that your grief is intensifying over time - especially if you feel hopeless, traumatized, and anxious or want to give up - you may be suffering from chronic grief. Fortunately people who are experiencing prolonged grief can benefit tremendously from counselling specifically designed to heal from this deep hurt. Therapy focuses on healing beliefs, thoughts, emotions and painful memories surrounding loss, while helping you recover hope and rebuild your life. Contact Henry L. McCurtis, MD. Then let's get started in helping you take back your life today!