Depression vs Grief

By VeriScorePrep Team · 4 min

Grief and major depression share many signs — sadness, sleep disturbance, appetite changes, social withdrawal. Differentiating them guides intervention and prevents harm.

Differentiating

• Grief: waves, with moments of respite and even pleasure. Self-esteem usually preserved, comes in waves tied to loss. May include longing.
• Depression: pervasive, persistent, with anhedonia and worthlessness or guilt out of proportion to the loss.

Red flags

• Persistent anhedonia (loss of all pleasure).
• Active suicidal ideation with plan.
• Hopelessness or worthlessness that is severe or persistent.
• Psychotic symptoms (delusions of guilt or worth).
• Marked psychomotor retardation beyond grief's slowing.
• Prolonged impairment in daily function.

Management

Mourn in waves; major depression is treated with psychotherapy and often medication. Bipolar disorder not recognized as such can be worsened by antidepressants — screen for history of mania before starting. Always assess suicide risk in any presentation of either.