Unresolved grief in the family

Unresolved grief after a death in the family may have serious consequences not merely for individuals but for entire families, from grandparents to grandchildren. When the grieving process is abnormal or incomplete, the problem may manifest itself in the physician's office. Observation of a family system can reveal the extent of pathology and the nature of the blocks that keep grief alive. Treatment of unresolved grief ranges from a simple statement of the problem to extended therapy. The physician must be aware of this problem in order to manage it; the cases in this article illustrate presentations of unresolved grief in a variety of family members.