Could your grief be needing more support?

The PG-13 (Prolonged Grief Disorder scale) is a scale developed by Prigerson et al. (2009) that reflects the criteria for Prolonged Grief Disorder included in DSM-5-TR and ICD-11. It measures the most characteristic symptoms: intense yearning, difficulty accepting the loss, and impact on daily functioning.

It does not evaluate whether your grief is "normal" or "abnormal" — grief is always normal. It evaluates whether the intensity and duration of symptoms suggest that additional specialized support could be beneficial.

Important context: respond thinking about the past 30 days. If the loss was recent (less than 6 months), intense symptoms are expected and do not necessarily indicate prolonged grief.

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PG-13 Test — Prolonged Grief Disorder Scale

Based on the criteria of Prigerson et al. (2009) and validated in multiple cultures. Evaluates whether grief is taking a form that could benefit from specialized support.

Validated by: Prigerson et al. (2009); DSM-5-TR

1. In the last month, how often have you felt yearning, longing, or a desire for the presence of the person who died?
2. Difficulty accepting the loss
3. Feeling numb or emotionally in shock since the loss
4. Difficulty trusting other people since the loss
5. Bitterness or anger related to the loss
6. Difficulty moving on with your life (for example, making new friends, pursuing interests)
7. Feeling emotionally distant or disconnected from other people since the loss
8. Feeling that life is empty or meaningless without the person who died
9. Feeling that you have lost a part of yourself since the loss
10. Difficulty imagining a satisfying future life without the person who died
11. Feeling stunned, dazed, or emotionally numb
12. Feeling that it is difficult or impossible to believe that the person is gone
13. How much have these symptoms interfered with your work, social activities, or other areas of functioning?
References

Frequently asked questions

How long is it normal to grieve?

There is no normal timeline. When symptoms are very intense and persist beyond 12 months without improvement, it can be helpful to talk with a professional.

What distinguishes normal grief from prolonged grief?

In typical grief, pain intensity gradually decreases. In prolonged grief, intensity does not decrease and daily functioning is significantly affected over an extended period.

Is there specific treatment for prolonged grief?

Yes. Prolonged Grief Therapy (PGT) by Shear et al. has the strongest evidence, combining psychoeducation with exposure and grief processing work.

Are my answers stored?

No. The test runs entirely in your browser.