The book “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (abbreviated as DSM) – a resource used by mental health professionals – has officially recognized a new condition called “Persistent Complex Bereavement Disorder.”
Individuals experiencing persistent grief are considered to have intense emotions, with troubling thoughts that cause them anxiety or hinder their daily activities, differing from normal grief.
Some psychiatrists have proposed including Persistent Complex Bereavement Disorder in the DSM.
The DSM was created by the American Psychiatric Association and is often referred to as the “bible” of psychiatry. However, it is not just a manual for clinicians; insurance providers often rely on the DSM to approve coverage for various treatment methods for these disorders. Therefore, being recognized in the DSM also carries significant implications.
Individuals with persistent grief may experience “intense yearning for the deceased or constant thoughts about the deceased, or in children and adolescents, circumstances surrounding the death.” These reactions can affect them throughout the day, extending over a period of at least one month. For children, the DSM notes that the condition can be diagnosed six months after the loss of a loved one. For adults, the diagnosis can be made after a year.
Since 2020, some psychiatrists have advocated for the inclusion of Persistent Complex Bereavement Disorder in the DSM. They argue that individuals suffering from prolonged grief can be distinctly differentiated from those experiencing typical grief, as well as from conditions that may relate to loss, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. However, a significant portion of critics has opposed its inclusion, arguing that the diagnosis would pathologize normal behavior. This criticism also extends to other conditions recently added to the DSM, such as gaming disorder.
Nevertheless, it was not until the fall of 2021, through a process of advocacy and collaboration, that Persistent Complex Bereavement Disorder was included in this crucial text. This week, the American Psychiatric Association officially released the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision” (DSM-5-TR), with Persistent Complex Bereavement Disorder being the most recent and only new condition added.
“Including Persistent Complex Bereavement Disorder in the DSM-5-TR means that mental health clinicians, as well as patients and families, share an understanding of normal grief feelings and what may indicate a long-term problem. Especially now, sharing information and raising awareness about Persistent Complex Bereavement Disorder is essential.”
