What is the term for a reaction to death that is excessive and disabling, despite awareness of the loss?

The correct term for a reaction to death that is excessive and disabling, despite the individual's awareness of the loss, is "exaggerated grief." This type of grief goes beyond typical mourning reactions and can manifest in ways that significantly disrupt daily functioning. People experiencing exaggerated grief may display intense emotional distress, prolonged mourning, or heightened symptoms of anxiety and depression, all linked to the death of a loved one.

In contrast to this, complicated grief refers to a persistent and unhealthy form of grief that hinders the individual’s ability to heal, which can occur over a prolonged period. Delayed grief happens when someone does not immediately process their feelings of loss; instead, they may experience grief at a later time, often when they are more ready to confront those emotions. Normal grief describes the typical and expected responses to loss, characterized by periods of sorrow, but this reaction does not lead to the same level of disruption in one's functioning as exaggerated grief does. Each of these options represents a different way people may experience grief, but it is exaggerated grief that specifically highlights the excessive and disabling nature of the response amidst an understanding of the loss.