When Grief Doesn’t Fade

Grief is a universal human experience, but the way we experience and express it is deeply influenced by our culture, beliefs, and community traditions. For many, grief gradually softens with time. But for some, the loss may remain raw and painful long after in comparison to others, as if grief never fades.

In this blog, we explore what PCBD is, why some people experience complicated or unresolved grief, and how support services like Positive Mind Works can help understand when their grief doesn’t fade.

What is Persistent Complex Bereavement Disorder (PCBD)?
Persistent Complex Bereavement Disorder “is a complex condition that can emerge when an individual is unable to transition from acute grief to a more integrated form of mourning.” /
In the DSM-5, it is characterised by enduring grief and emotional pain that continues 12 months (for adults) – 6 months (for children) or more after a significant loss, highlighting moments when grief doesn’t fade in the typical timeline.

It can involve:

• ongoing yearning for the deceased,
• difficulty accepting the death,
• and a sense that life has lost meaning.

PCBD differs from typical grief in that it disrupts how a person functions in their day-to-day life and prevents an individual from re-engaging with life in a meaningful way or a way that matters to them. It represents a poignant example of when grief doesn’t diminish over time.

PCBD refers to a mental health condition involving prolonged, intense mourning that interferes with emotional recovery and social engagement. While grief is not linear and has no strict timeline, PCBD involves a disruption in the natural healing process.
It’s important to recognise that cultural differences in grieving styles, rituals, and spiritual beliefs may affect how PCBD is identified and understood.

Some people face extra barriers to healing, such as:

• Sudden, traumatic, or violent loss
• Death of a child or partner
• Historical or intergenerational trauma
• Stigma or marginalisation
• Cultural loss and disconnection
• Lack of access to culturally appropriate support
• Spiritual conflict or unresolved relational dynamics

In the context of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Māori communities, grief may be compounded by collective trauma, colonisation, stolen generations, and disrupted traditional grieving practices.

Common symptoms may include:

• Persistent yearning for the deceased
• Emotional numbness or anger
• Trouble accepting the death
• Avoidance of reminders of the person
• Loss of identity, purpose, or meaning
• Withdrawal from social or cultural life
• Persistent sadness, guilt, or spiritual distress

These symptoms often co-occur with other mental health challenges, such as depression, anxiety , or post-traumatic stress.

It’s important for clinicians to differentiate between culturally sanctioned mourning rituals and pathological grief. What may be considered “prolonged grief” in one culture may be normal an

Māori Perspectives

For Māori, the process of tangihanga (mourning) is deeply spiritual, communal, and governed by tikanga (customs). The loss of a loved one is often felt not just personally, but as a wider whānau (family) and iwi (tribal) loss. Traditional practices may include karakia (prayers), waiata (songs), and a return to ancestral land.
Disruption to these rituals, particularly in urban environments or due to health restrictions, can complicate the grieving process.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples view grief through collective, spiritual, and ancestral lenses. Sorry Business is a time of cultural mourning, with specific rituals that vary across Nations. The death of an Elder or community member may trigger widespread communal mourning. Grief is often deeply intertwined with connection to Country, ancestral spirits, and kinship systems.
Interruptions to Sorry Business, institutional racism, and lack of culturally safe services can all contribute to complicated grief.

At Positive Mind Works, we understand that grief is not just psychological; it is spiritual, cultural, and relational. Our team is committed to providing culturally responsive, trauma-informed care for all individuals, and we are respectful of Indigenous worldviews around loss and healing.

1. Culturally Safe Practice
We honour and respect the spiritual and cultural frameworks that shape grief and healing, especially for Māori, Aboriginal, and Torres Strait Islander clients. We listen without imposing and collaborate with clients to ensure culturally safe therapeutic approaches.

2. Flexible Therapy Options
Our team provides therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Complicated Grief Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), all adapted to cultural context and client worldview.

3. Grief Education
Understanding grief helps normalise the experience and reduce feelings of guilt or isolation. Psychoeducation is often the first step in healing.

4. Building Coping Strategies
Our psychologists work with clients to develop personalised coping tools—focusing on resilience, self-compassion, and emotional regulation.

5. Collaborative Healing
Where appropriate and with consent, we are open to working with cultural advisors, Elders, whānau, or community leaders to support holistic healing.

6. Restoring Life Meaning
Support may include exploring values, identity, and future goals, helping clients rebuild their life around the loss.

7. Accessible Services
Positive Mind Works offers telehealth psychology appointments across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, supporting clients in urban, regional, and remote locations.

Disclaimer: This blog is for general informational purposes only and does not replace personalised mental health advice. If you are experiencing grief-related distress, we encourage you to speak with a qualified, registered psychologist or mental health professional. All services at Positive Mind Works are delivered in accordance with the APS Code of Ethics and the New Zealand Psychologists Board Code of Ethics and strive for cultural safety and responsiveness.