During the first few months after a loss, many signs and symptoms of normal grief are the same as those of complicated grief. However, while normal grief symptoms gradually start to fade over time, those of complicated grief linger or get worse. Complicated grief is like being in an ongoing, heightened state of mourning that keeps you from healing. Signs and symptoms of complicated grief may include:  Intense sorrow, pain and rumination over the loss of your loved one Focus on little else but your loved one's death Extreme focus on reminders of the loved one or excessive avoidance of reminders Intense and persistent longing or pining for the deceased Problems accepting the death Numbness or detachment Bitterness about your loss Feeling that life holds no meaning or purpose Lack of trust in others Inability to enjoy life or think back on positive experiences with your loved one  Complicated grief also may be indicated if you continue to:  Have trouble carrying out normal routines Isolate from others and withdraw from social activities Experience depression, deep sadness, guilt or self-blame Believe that you did something wrong or could have prevented the death Feel life isn't worth living without your loved one Wish you had died along with your loved one 
first months loss  signs symptoms normal grief complicated grief  however  normal grief symptoms gradually start fade time  complicated grief linger worse  complicated grief like being ongoing  heightened state mourning keeps healing  signs symptoms complicated grief may include:  intense sorrow  pain rumination loss loved focus little loved one's death extreme focus reminders loved excessive avoidance reminders intense persistent longing pining deceased problems accepting death numbness detachment bitterness loss feeling life holds meaning purpose lack trust inability enjoy life think back positive experiences loved  complicated grief may continue to:  trouble carrying normal routines isolate withdraw social activities experience depression  deep sadness  guilt self-blame believe wrong prevented death feel life isn't worth living loved wish died loved 
complicated grief