Unhealthy Grief: What It Looks Like and How to Get Help

Losing someone you love is one of life’s most difficult experiences. Grief is the natural response to loss, and while it can be painful, it also plays a role in helping us heal. Over time, most people gradually adapt to their “new normal.” The sharp edges of grief may soften, and memories of the person shift from overwhelming sorrow to cherished reflection.

But what happens when grief doesn’t ease with time? What if the pain stays as raw as it was in the beginning or even intensifies? This is when grief can become unhealthy or complicated. Recognizing the difference between natural grieving and unresolved, harmful grief is critical for emotional and physical well-being.

What Is Unhealthy Grief?

Unhealthy grief, sometimes called complicated grief or prolonged grief disorder, is when the natural healing process stalls. While it’s normal to experience sadness, anger, guilt, and fatigue after a loss, most people begin to adjust gradually. They may still miss their loved one deeply, but they find ways to function, reconnect with life, and rediscover meaning.

With unhealthy grief, that adjustment doesn’t happen. Instead, the mourner feels stuck in a cycle of longing, pain, or avoidance. Months or even years after the loss, the grief feels just as fresh as day one. Daily life, relationships, and work may all be disrupted. Importantly, this doesn’t mean someone is “failing” at grieving; it simply signals that the loss has created wounds too deep to heal without additional support.

Signs of Unhealthy or Complicated Grief

How can you tell whether grief is following its natural course or has shifted into something more concerning? Here are common signs:

Persistent, intense yearning for the deceased that doesn’t lessen with time.
Preoccupation with the loss, replaying “what ifs” or memories on a loop.
Avoidance of reminders—refusing to visit familiar places, touch belongings, or talk about the person.
Inability to function normally—struggling at work, withdrawing from social connections, or neglecting responsibilities.
Unrelenting guilt or blame, whether directed inward (“I should’ve done more”) or outward (“It’s someone else’s fault”).
Emotional numbness—feeling disconnected from people or activities that once mattered.
Hopelessness or self-harm thoughts related to the loss.

While short bursts of these feelings can be normal early on, their persistence for many months or their severity can indicate unhealthy grief.

Common Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms

When grief feels unbearable, it’s natural to want relief. But sometimes the coping strategies people turn to cause more harm than good:

Substance use: Alcohol, drugs, or even prescription misuse may numb emotions temporarily, but often deepen depression and isolation.
Overworking: Throwing oneself into work to avoid emotions may delay healing, leading to burnout.
Social withdrawal: Avoiding family or friends might feel protective, but it often worsens loneliness.
Risk-taking behaviors: Reckless driving, overspending, or unsafe habits can serve as distractions but create additional stress and danger.

These patterns provide short-term distraction but prevent genuine healing.

Normal Grief vs. Unhealthy Grief

It helps to see the differences side by side.

Normal Grief

Unhealthy / Complicated Grief

Intense emotions early on that gradually soften with time

Intensity of emotions remains constant or worsens over time

A person is able to function (work, relationships) even if with difficulty

Daily functioning is severely impaired or impossible

Can think of the loved one with both sadness and fondness as months pass

Focus remains almost exclusively on the pain of the loss

Acceptance and adaptation occur over time

Feeling “stuck” in grief with little progress toward healing

This table highlights why recognizing unhealthy grief is so important it signals when extra support is necessary.

When Does Grief Become a Disorder?

In 2022, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) added Prolonged Grief Disorder to its diagnostic manual. This condition describes grief lasting more than 12 months (or six months for children) that causes significant disruption to life.

That doesn’t mean grief has an “expiration date.” Everyone heals at a different pace. But when grief prevents you from returning to daily routines, enjoying life, or feeling connected to others, it may meet the threshold for clinical intervention.

The Health Impact of Unresolved Grief

Unhealthy grief isn’t just emotional; it also takes a physical toll. Studies show prolonged grief can trigger:

Cardiovascular strain: Higher risk of high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and even heart disease.
Weakened immune system: Making you more vulnerable to colds, infections, and slower recovery.
Digestive issues: Stomach aches, nausea, or changes in appetite.
Sleep disturbances: Insomnia, frequent waking, or nightmares.
Chronic stress responses: Increased cortisol (stress hormone) levels, leading to anxiety and depression.

This “mind-body” connection means untreated grief can silently erode long-term health.

Why Some Grief Becomes Unhealthy

Not everyone develops complicated grief. Some factors increase the risk:

Sudden or traumatic loss (such as accidents, suicide, or natural disasters).
Very close relationships, such as losing a child or life partner.
Previous mental health challenges, including depression or anxiety.
Lack of social support, leaving the mourner isolated.
Unresolved issues with the deceased, such as conflicts or guilt.

These factors don’t guarantee unhealthy grief, but they can make it harder for the natural grieving process to unfold.

How Grief Therapy Helps

Grief therapy offers tools, support, and structured healing for those stuck in complicated grief. A therapist can help you:

Process unresolved emotions: Talking through guilt, anger, or regrets in a safe space.
Develop healthy coping skills: Learning techniques like mindfulness, journaling, or grounding exercises to manage overwhelming emotions.
Rebuild life routines: Gradually reintroducing meaning, purpose, and social connection.
Honor your loved one: Creating rituals or practices that allow ongoing connection while still moving forward.

Therapy doesn’t erase grief; it helps you carry it in a way that doesn’t crush your ability to live fully.

When to Seek Help

Reaching out for grief counseling isn’t about being weak; it’s about being proactive. Consider professional support if:

Your grief hasn’t eased after many months.
You feel unable to function at work or in relationships.
You avoid people or places connected to your loved one.
You rely on substances or unhealthy habits to cope.
You feel life has lost meaning, or have thoughts of self-harm.

Getting help early can prevent grief from spiraling into deeper health or mental challenges.

Wrapping It Up

Grief is never easy, and there’s no single timeline for healing. But when sorrow becomes overwhelming, persistent, and disruptive, it may have crossed into unhealthy grief. Recognizing the difference allows you to seek the right kind of help and support that validates your pain while guiding you toward recovery.

Unhealthy grief is not a personal failure. It’s a sign that you need extra support to move forward. With therapy and compassionate care, it’s possible to process loss, rediscover meaning, and continue honoring your loved one while building a fulfilling life.

If you recognize yourself in these signs of complicated grief, you don’t have to face it alone. Wellman Psychology’s Grief Counselling Chicago IL, provides compassionate, evidence-based support to help you navigate loss and regain balance. Book an appointment today and take the first step toward healing, resilience, and hope.

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