Understanding Prolonged Grief Disorder: Insights from the COVID-19 Pandemic

 

Understanding Prolonged Grief Disorder: Insights from the COVID-19 Pandemic

Research conducted by Cardiff and Bristol universities has revealed that individuals who experienced bereavement during the first two waves of the Covid-19 pandemic are three times more likely to suffer from prolonged grief disorder (PGD), also known as complicated grief. PGD can lead to feelings of isolation and intense emotional distress, characterized by ongoing yearning for the deceased, emotional pain encompassing guilt and denial, and difficulties in maintaining social relationships and future planning, lasting for more than six months.

Traditionally, PGD affects about one in every ten individuals. However, the study found that over two years after their loss, three out of ten individuals bereaved from March 2020 to January 2021 exhibited signs of PGD. Treatment for this condition typically involves specialized psychological intervention.

If these findings are representative of the wider UK population, it suggests that several hundred thousand people may have experienced or still be suffering from PGD, emphasizing the need for specialized bereavement support. Advocates for the bereaved are urging government ministers to allocate funds for such support and to promote broader awareness of this issue.

PGD is known to be triggered by traumatic deaths, social isolation, and separation from the deceased, all of which were prevalent in many pandemic-related deaths during lockdowns and periods of restricted hospital and care home visits. This research is believed to be the first of its kind in this context.

Susie Flintham, who lost her father to Covid in March 2020, shared her experience, stating, "I wouldn't say I am relishing life; I am existing." She recounted how she saw her father in the hospital while wearing extensive PPE, making it uncertain whether he recognized her. She and her partner were the sole attendees at his funeral. Even more than three years later, she continues to struggle with her grief, becoming increasingly distant from others.

The study, encompassing 711 bereaved individuals, found that early bereavement marked by social isolation and loneliness, as well as a lack of ongoing social support, significantly contributed to higher levels of prolonged grief symptoms. Those who felt well-supported by healthcare professionals after a death tended to exhibit reduced levels of prolonged grief symptoms.

Interestingly, the study found no difference in the levels of PGD between those who lost loved ones to Covid during the pandemic and those who lost loved ones to other causes when accounting for other contributing factors. For instance, it described the "distress and anger" experienced by relatives of terminally ill patients who did not receive the expected levels of care due to the allocation of NHS resources to fight the virus.

Dr. Emily Harrop, a research fellow at the Marie Curie Research Centre at Cardiff University School of Medicine, who led the study alongside Dr. Lucy Selman, an associate professor at the palliative and end-of-life care research group at the University of Bristol, emphasized the significance of the research. She stated, "Our research not only helps us to understand how mass bereavement events can impact grieving and mental health, but also has important implications for bereavement policy, provision, and practice." Dr. Harrop noted the importance of this newfound understanding in preparing for future pandemics and mass bereavement events.

Furthermore, the study found that over half of the participants felt they received minimal or no support from healthcare professionals during their bereavement journeys.