Grief, loss and bereavement: when grief becomes something more

Forms of grief

Grief is not a disorder. These are some of the forms it can take, including when a psychiatric assessment may be worth considering.

• Expected grief

  Sadness, longing, waves of tears, poor sleep and trouble concentrating after a death or loss. It can be intense and come and go for a long time, and it usually eases gradually. It is not a disorder and does not need psychiatric treatment.

• Prolonged grief disorder

  Recognised in ICD-11. Intense longing for, or preoccupation with, the person who died, with deep emotional pain that continues long after the loss, usually six months or more for adults and young people, and makes daily life very hard.

• Traumatic grief

  Not a formal diagnosis, but a common situation: grief after a sudden, violent or frightening death, such as an accident, suicide or disaster, where flashbacks or fear sit alongside the grief. See Post-traumatic stress.

• Grief with depression or anxiety

  Grief can bring on depression or an anxiety disorder, especially if you have had one before. Signs include hopelessness, feeling worthless, or worry and panic that are not about the loss itself.

Signs to look for

• Intense longing or distress that is not easing after many months
• Being unable to take part in daily life, work or care for others
• Persistent low mood, guilt or feeling that life has no point
• Avoiding reminders of the person, or of the loss, altogether
• Thoughts of death or suicide

Assessment

We ask about the loss, how you have been since, and the support around you. Dr Stanganelli does not assume that what you feel is a disorder. Sometimes the answer is that your grief is understandable and no treatment is needed.

Treatment

Dr Stanganelli assesses, diagnoses, prescribes where it helps, and coordinates your care with your GP and psychologist.

1. i.Psychological therapy, with your psychologist or one Dr Stanganelli can refer you to
2. ii.Treatment of depression or anxiety where it is present
3. iii.Medication in some cases, with regular review
4. iv.Support for family members

Getting started

Ask your GP or paediatrician for a referral to Dr Stanganelli, then email it to appointments@stanganelli.com.au. Or post it to PO Box 5571, Mackay QLD 4740. All referrals are reviewed and assessed by Dr Stanganelli to determine suitability for the practice. Submission of a referral does not guarantee acceptance or an appointment. If your referral is accepted, we'll contact you with a time in Mackay, Brisbane or by telehealth, usually in under 4 weeks. If we can't accept a referral, we'll let the referring doctor or the patient know.

Request an appointment How referrals work