The selfsame well: Human suffering in grief and bereavement

Abstract

The death of a loved one and the period of grieving that follows can be a painful journey with physical, emotional, mental and spiritual suffering a familiar companion. Much has been written in the literature about the process of uncomplicated or normal grief. More recently the focus of research and therapeutic attention has shifted to the small but significant group of people who suffer from complicated grief. This paper explores the growing body of research that examines the persisting and debilitating suffering that accompanies complicated grief.