World Health Organization Recognizes Prolonged Grief as Mental Health Disorder

The World Health Organization has classified prolonged grieving that extends beyond six months as a mental health disorder. The classification, known as prolonged grief disorder, addresses cases where mourning continues for an extended period beyond what is considered typical grief recovery time. Mental health professionals use this diagnostic criteria to identify individuals who may need specialized treatment when their grief process becomes stuck or complicated, preventing them from returning to normal functioning after losing a loved one.