1. DSM-5 Persistent Complex Bereavement Disorder: the complexities of Identifying and
applying appropriate treatment modalities.
A substantial proportion of the population who have lost a love one will experience
complications (Rando, 1993). Raphael (1983) argues that the up to one in three bereaved
people may experience complex grieving.
Rando (1993) identifies two core problems for practitioners in the field. The first is the
difficulties of defining complex grieving and the second is for practitioners to recognise the
phenomenon. Since Rando (1993) articulated these concerns The DSM-5 has determined a
proposed criteria, however it could be argued that her concerns that general therapists may
have an insufficient understanding of bereavement as well as limited treatment knowledge or
knowhow. Jacobs and Kim (1990), articulate concerns surrounding identifying complex
grieving as well as the appropriate application of treatment models.
In the instance of complex grief a client will come for treatment having a self-diagnosis
of a mental health condition completely unaware that the underlying issue is unresolved grief
(Worden, (2006). Moreover Worden (2006) argues that it is the skill of the practitioner to
identify that the underlying issue is unresolved grief.
This presentation will unpack a study of my client Maria ( unidentified with her
permission) exemplifying the need for a practitioner to have the skills and knowledge to be
able to identify Persistent Complex Bereavement disorder as well as the interventions that
need to be implemented as to manifest in a successful outcome.

2. Bibliography
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental
disorders (5th ed.)Washington, DC: Author.
Jacobs, S., & Kim, K. (1990). Psychiatric complications of bereavement.
Psychiatric Annuls, 20, 314-317
Rando, T. (1993). Treatment of Complicated Mourning. Illinois: Research Press.
Raphael, B. (1983). The anatomy of bereavement. New York: Basic
Worden, W. (2006). Grief Counselling and Grief Therapy (3rd ed.) London : Routledge.