My deepest condolences to you. My heart and thoughts are with you as you may be navigating the loss of someone you love.

Grief is instinctual. It’s guttural. And it’s deeply human.

When someone we love dies, the loss can shake the ground beneath us. Life suddenly feels unfamiliar. Things that once felt normal can feel strange or overwhelming.

In the early months after a loss, many people experience intense waves of grief. The sadness can be disorienting. Sometimes it shows up everywhere—at the grocery store, in the quiet moments at home, or in the middle of an ordinary day.

Over time, many people begin to notice small shifts. The grief is still there, but the intensity softens a little. When this happens, it doesn’t mean someone has “moved on” or forgotten the person they love. It simply means they are learning how to carry their grief while slowly adjusting to a new normal.

And that adjustment looks different for everyone.

For some people, it means finding ways to manage the pain while also allowing small moments of connection, meaning, or even laughter to return. Life continues forward, even while love and grief remain.

But sometimes that shift doesn’t happen. Sometimes the grief stays just as intense and consuming long after the loss. When the pain remains overwhelming and begins to interfere with everyday life for a long time, it may be something known as Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD).

What Is Prolonged Grief Disorder?

Prolonged Grief Disorder happens when someone feels stuck in their grief. The longing and emotional pain remain just as strong, even well beyond the first year after a loss.

It’s important to say this clearly: this isn’t about grieving “too long.” And it certainly isn’t about loving someone too deeply.

Instead, it’s about grief that has become so heavy that it’s difficult to move forward in daily life.

What Are Common Signs of Prolonged Grief Disorder?

People experiencing prolonged grief often describe:

• A constant longing or aching for the person who died
• Difficulty accepting the reality of the loss
• Feeling as though life has lost its meaning
• Avoiding reminders of their loved one—or feeling overwhelmed by them
• Struggling to return to work, relationships, or normal routines

This kind of grief can feel incredibly lonely. It can also be confusing, especially when the world around you seems to expect that you should be “doing better by now.”

How Is Prolonged Grief Different From Typical Grief?

There really isn’t a right or wrong way to grieve. There is also no timeline for love.

For many people, grief slowly changes shape over time. The sadness may always be there, but it begins to exist alongside other parts of life.

Moments of connection return. Small pieces of joy begin to show up again. People start to feel engaged with the world while still carrying the love they have for the person who died.

With Prolonged Grief Disorder, those shifts can feel out of reach. The pain remains front and center, making it difficult to reconnect with life in the ways someone may want to.

How Can You Overcome Prolonged Grief Symptoms?

If this kind of grief feels familiar, it’s important to know that help is available.

Grief therapy can provide a safe place to talk about the loss and process the pain in a supportive way. It can also help people learn how to live with their grief without it taking over their entire life.

Through support, many people are able to:

• Process their loss at their own pace
• Learn ways to carry their grief more gently
• Reconnect with meaning, relationships, and themselves
• Honor the memory of their loved one while also caring for their own well-being

Seeking support doesn’t mean letting go of the person you love. It simply means you don’t have to carry the weight of your grief alone.

When Might It Be Time to Reach Out?

You might consider reaching out for additional support if:

Grief can be incredibly heavy to carry on your own. Talking with a trained grief professional can help you find a way to move forward while still honoring the love you have for the person who died.

You Are Not Alone

If you or someone in your family is struggling with grief, our bereavement program is here to support you. Grief can feel incredibly isolating, but you don’t have to navigate it alone.

Our team offers compassionate support, resources, and a safe space to talk about your loss and your loved one. If you feel that additional support might be helpful, we encourage you to reach out to our bereavement program. We would be honored to walk alongside you during this time.

Allison Wike Medlin, MA, LMFTA – Bereavement Counselor

Benisek, A. (2026, February 20). What is prolonged grief disorder? WebMD. Retrieved March 16, 2026, from https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/prolonged-grief-disorder