Depression is Different From Sadness or Grief/Bereavement

A person can experience difficult times such as the death of a close friend, loss of work or ending a relationship. In these situations, it is common to feel sadness or grief. People who have experienced loss might refer to themselves as "depressed."

Depression

Depression


However, being sad is not the exact same thing as having depression. Each person's grief process is unique and natural. It shares many of the same characteristics as depression. Both grief and depression can cause extreme sadness and withdrawal from your usual activities. Both are important in their own ways.

Grief can bring up painful feelings in waves. These feelings are often mixed with positive memories of the deceased. Major depression can cause a decrease in mood and/or pleasure for up to two weeks.

Self-esteem is often maintained in grief. Major depression can lead to feelings of worthlessness, self-loathing, and even suicide.

When you think of or fantasize about "joining the dead loved one", thoughts of death can surface in grief. Major depression can lead to thoughts of ending one's own life because they feel worthless, unworthy of living, or unable to deal with the pain.

Sometimes grief and depression can co-exist. For some, the loss of a loved person, being victim to a physical attack or major disaster, or even the death of a family member can all lead to depression. The grief that occurs when grief and depression co-occur is more severe than the grief that does not include depression.

It is important to distinguish between grief and depression. This can help people get the support, treatment or help they need.

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