The Fourth Rung: Grieving and Depression

Depression that is part of the grieving process and stems from the death of a loved one does not require medication, though it does require personal care.

Depression comes in many forms, which have biological, genetic, and environmental causes. Clinical depression is a term used to describe depression that is long lasting and severely affects an individual’s ability to function in life. The following is a list of symptoms that occur with clinical depression:

• Inability to sleep or sleeping too much
• Loss of concentration, tasks that were once easy become difficult
• Feelings of worthlessness or helplessness
• Uncontrollable negative thoughts
• Loss of appetite or overeating
• Constantly irritated or enraged
• Feelings of emptiness or lifelessness
• Self-loathing
• Loss of interest in daily activities
• Difficulty maintaining relationships, and
• Suicidal thoughts

There is help. Treatment for clinical depression is often a mix of anti-depressant drug therapy and psychotherapy. People with clinical depression can recover and go on to live healthy and productive lives. Clinical depression is not a sign of weakness or failure, it is a disease and it can be treated.

Clinical depression is a debilitating disease that can have serious consequences if it goes untreated. Diagnostic criteria for clinical depression states that at least two of the above symptoms need to be experienced for a period of longer than two weeks.

If you experience these symptoms please see a doctor so that you can get better. If you are feeling suicidal get help immediately. People who are clinically depressed before the death of a loved one occurs may have a more difficult time moving through the grieving process. Ground gained in recovery from depression may be temporarily lost. If you are recovering from clinical depression and are in the process of grieving, be sure to let your doctor know or get help if you haven’t already. If you know an individual who is clinically depressed and grieving, please give extra support and vigilance to their well-being.