In prolonged grief disorder, what impact does it have on functioning?

• A. It affects the ability to function.
• B. It has no impact on daily life.
• C. It improves with time without therapy.
• D. It only affects sleep.

Answer: (A)

Functional impairment is the key impact of prolonged grief disorder. When grief becomes prolonged and intense, it doesn’t just exist as sadness or longing; it disrupts daily life. People may have persistent preoccupation with the loss, strong emotional distress, and difficulty concentrating or finding motivation, which makes it hard to carry out work or school tasks, maintain relationships, manage self-care, or handle daily routines. This level of impairment across important areas of functioning is what distinguishes prolonged grief from typical bereavement.

The other ideas—no impact on daily life, natural improvement over time without help, or only affecting sleep—don’t fit because they miss the substantial, pervasive disruption to daily functioning that characterizes the disorder.