Complicated Grief

Jane Brody's Personal Health column in the February 17th, 2015 NY Times is an informative and comprehensive discussion of "complicated grief."

Image from Times article

“Complicated grief is like a wound that doesn’t heal and can follow the loss of any close relationship. The risk of complicated grief is greatest — 10 percent to 20 percent — among those who lose a romantic partner and even higher among those who lose a child. It is more common following a sudden or violent death and most common among women older than 60, she reported."

See:  Brody: "When Grief Won't Relent"

Also referenced:

1) Shear MK. Clinical practice. Complicated grief. N Engl J Med. 2015 Jan 8;372(2):153-60.

2) The Center for Complicated Grief (Columbia University, NY)