Depression

What is the difference between depression and normal grief?

Grief is a normal, natural response that one experiences when faced with a significant loss or threat of loss. Death, divorce, illness, financial problems, job loss, or cherished property and other significant losses may provoke a grief reaction characterized by feelings of sadness and despair. The grief process consists of several phases including denial, bargaining, anger, depression, and acceptance. People do not necessarily pass through all stages in sequence. Remaining in one of the stages may be a signal that grief has evolved into a clinical depression. The amount of time that it takes for someone to recover from a significant loss depends in part on the nature of the loss. A grieving person may find that having a strong social support system, adequate coping skills, and taking care of him- or herself physically (e.g., resting, eating a nutritious diet, and exercising in moderation) may hasten recovery.

When the grief process is particularly protracted and has not resolved within a reasonable amount of time, the lack of resolution may be a sign that a clinical depression has developed. The feelings of sadness experienced during the grieving process may seem identical to the feelings of sadness inherent to clinical depression. Generally, any time feelings of sadness persist for two weeks or more and interfere with a person's daily activities, some form of treatment is indicated. While 10% of Americans experience it, depression is not normal.

Other times, clinical depression may develop with no identifiable cause. Afflicted people may experience symptoms such as sadness or loss of interest. Additionally, depressed people may experience any of these symptoms: change in appetite; sleep problems; inability to concentrate; suicidal thoughts; feelings of fatigue, guilt, worthlessness, or hopelessness; and feeling restless or slowed down.

To find out if your symptoms may be consistent with those of depression, complete this Depression Assessment Questionnaire if you have not received a formal diagnosis of depression from your physician.