Grief and Near Death Experiences
Depression
How is grief different from depression?
If you are grieving, you may experience a number of depressive symptoms such as frequent crying, profound sadness, and depressed mood. However, while major depression is categorized as a psychological disorder, grief is not. Grief is a normal and healthy response to bereavement, not an illness. Its symptoms are painful, but they serve an adaptive purpose.
As Webster University's Dennis Klass notes in The Culture of Grief, healthy grief “lines us up with reality” and helps us come to terms with who we are apart from our lost loved one. In fact, it is cause for concern when a bereaved individual doesn’t exhibit any signs of grief because it suggests that the death is not being processed.
The American Psychiatric Association states that as a general rule, normal grief does not warrant the use of antidepressants. While medication may alleviate some of the symptoms of grief, it cannot treat the cause, which is the loss itself. Furthermore, by numbing the pain that must be worked through eventually, antidepressants delay the mourning process. However, it is important to distinguish between a normal grief reaction and one that is disabling or does not diminish over time. When grief doesn’t resolve over time, but continues to be a disruptive presence, it may be an indicator of major depressive disorder. According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 in 5 bereaved people will develop major depression. Those with a prior history of depression or a lack of social support are particularly at risk.
SYMPTOMS THAT SUGGEST A BEREAVED PERSON IS ALSO DEPRESSED:
* Intense feelings of guilt.
* Thoughts of suicide or preoccupation with death.
* Feelings of worthlessness.
* Slow speech and body movements.
* Inability to function at work, home, and/or school.
* Finds no pleasure in previously-enjoyed activities.
* Hallucinations of the deceased.
Source: NetDoctor UK
If you develop major depression following the death of a loved one, you may benefit from therapy, medication, or a support group for the bereaved.
For more information about depression, see Helpguide’s
