Grief extending over a long period of time without resolution is called?

• A. Complicated
• B. Chronic
• C. Prolonged
• D. Unresolved

Answer: (A)

Complicated grief is used when grief lasts a long time and remains unresolved in a way that disrupts normal function. It describes a persistent, pervasive pattern of distress—intense yearning, preoccupation with the loss, and ongoing emotional pain that interferes with daily life and relationships. This goes beyond typical grief, where distress gradually diminishes and the person begins to adapt to the loss. While chronic or prolonged grief emphasize the length of time, they don’t as clearly capture the dysfunction and persistent, maladaptive reactions that define complicated grief. Unresolved grief is descriptive but not a specific clinical pattern, whereas complicated grief specifically conveys the ongoing, impairing nature of the response.