The loss of a loved one is one of the most painful experiences that most of us will ever have to face in our lives. This book recognises that there is no single solution to the problems of bereavement but that an understanding of grief can help the bereaved to realise that they are not alone in their experience.

Long recognised as the most authoritative work of its kind, this new edition has been revised and extended to take into account recent research findings on both sides of the Atlantic. Parkes and Prigerson include additional information about the different circumstances of bereavement including traumatic losses, disasters, and complicated grief, as well as providing details on how social, religious, and cultural influences determine how we grieve.

Bereavement provides guidance on preparing for the loss of a loved one, and coping after they have gone. It also discusses how to identify the minority in whom bereavement may lead to impairment of physical and/or mental health and how to ensure they get the help they need. This classic text will continue to be of value to the bereaved themselves, as well as the professionals and friends who seek to help and understand them.

Grief and bereavement are a universal part of the human experience. The impact of grief on human lives is increasingly evident as the COVID-19 pandemic, environmental disasters, and—in the United States in particular—gun-related violence upend normal life and expose vast swaths of society to recurring and profound trauma. It was only in 2022, with the publication of DSM-5-TR and in the context of considerable scientific progress, that prolonged grief disorder (PGD) was included as a formal diagnosis, one also reflected in ICD-11. Now, this new handbook provides both clinical and non-clinical readers with a science-based approach to identifying and addressing PGD, along with what might be termed "normal" grief. In extensively referenced chapters filled with illustrative case studies, this guide examines topics such as • What constitutes bereavement • How "simple" bereavement differs from PGD and how to manage them clinically • Grief in children and the importance of a life cycle approach • Cultural factors and their impact on the experience of grief • Stigma and attitudes toward treatment • Diagnosing and treating PGD With consequences that include suffering, social isolation and loneliness, poor physical health, shortened life expectancy, and suicide, it is critical that PGD be recognized and treated as quickly as possible. Thus, Grief and Prolonged Grief Disorder is a necessary resource: Its evidence-based approach gives readers the tools they need to recognize grief in themselves and others, strategies for the clinical management of typical grief, guidance on the specific treatment for PGD, and tips on when to refer patients for specialty care.