Thieleman, K., Cacciatore, J., and Frances, A. (2023). Rates of Prolonged Grief Disorder: Considering relationship to the person who died and cause of death. Journal of Affective Disorders, 349. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2023.07.094 

Rates of Prolonged Grief Disorder: Considering relationship to the person who died and cause of death

- Rates of Prolonged Grief Disorder: Considering relationship to the person who died and cause of death 

Xavier University

When the DSM-5 was published in 2013, it did not include Prolonged Grief Disorder as a diagnosable mental disorder. Instead, it was referred to as Persistent Complex Bereavement Disorder in the appendix and noted that it was in need of further study. After much debate, it was finally added to the DSM-5 TR in 2022. Despite its inclusion in the DSM, there is still much debate about whether or not it should be included. 

Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) and The DSM-5

Despite meeting the criteria for PGD, 65% of participants in one study described their feelings as normal. Furthermore, 70% of participants in this study indicated that they would find a diagnosis of PGD to be unhelpful. It is important to note that unlike previous studies which revealed participants thought a PGD diagnosis to be helpful, whether or not they would receive treatment. This suggests that some individuals may desire to undergo treatment to work through their grief but may not find its diagnosis as a disorder to be particularly helpful. In some cases,  treatment designed to help with ordinary grief may be beneficial. 

Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) and The DSM-5: Is Diagnosis Helpful?

Despite being added to the DSM-5TR, there are concerns that this addition may lead to mislabeling ordinary grief and/or misdiagnosing PGD, especially in particular subgroups. This is due to the complexity of grief as it can have several different timelines, trajectories, and characteristics depending on specific contexts and on the individual. 

Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) and the DSM-5: Potential Concerns of Addition to DSM-5TR

Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) and the DSM-5 References

Another argument is that the addition of PGD to the DSM-5TR is beneficial. It is argued that officially including PGD as its own disorder allows it to become separate from other disorders such as PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder. It signifies grief as its own, separate thing. Furthermore, symptoms of PGD in grieving individuals may be mistakenly overlooked for an ordinary component of grief. Establishing it as its own psychological disorders allows for the patient's symptoms to be addressed and receive appropriate treatment. 

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