When Does Grief Become Depression?



Grief and depression seem like similar mental states but they are two different things. Grief is a response to loss and pain that fades away with time. Depression is a persistent feeling of sadness and loss that doesn’t go away easily. You may not need professional medical assistance for the former, but you will need to visit a psychologist for the later. At The Jerry Spears Company, we have seen simple grief turn into complex depression, which can linger for years. Here are some things you should know about this:

You Don’t Feel Better


There is no way to rush the grieving process. Some people can recover in a few months while others can take more than a year. However, grief does fade away with time and people start to feel better. You start to enjoy your favorite activities, forget about your loss sometimes, and even have fun with friends or family members. Depression is more persistent and intense. Grief can turn into depression if you still feel listless and unmoored several months down the line. If you’re not feeling better or are spiraling down, get medical assistance as soon as possible.

Grief can Make Depression Worse


People who ready to suffer from depression have a difficult time dealing with grief, especially if they lose someone who has a vital part of their support system. Some people have mild depressive episodes that don’t affect their everyday life until they lose a close friend or family member. At this point, grief can exacerbate symptoms of depression and that can lead to long-term problems. 

Suicidal Thoughts


Human beings can handle different kinds of emotional trauma without experiencing suicidal thoughts. The urge to self-harm is a classic sign of depression and you need to seek help if you experience it.

If you want to know about our support and funeral services, don’t hesitate to contact us at The Jerry Spears Company. Our team will be happy to help.

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