As you age, you experience many losses. Loss is painful—whether
it’s a loss of independence, mobility, health, your long-time career, or
someone you love. Grieving over these losses is normal and healthy, even if the feelings of sadness last for a long time. Losing
all hope and joy, however, is not common.
Is it grief or depression?
Distinguishing between grief and clinical depression isn’t always
easy, since they share many symptoms. However, there are ways to tell the
difference. Remember, grief is a roller coaster involving a wide variety of
emotions and a mix of good and bad days. Even when you’re in the middle of the
grieving process, you will have moments of pleasure or happiness. With
depression, on the other hand, the feelings of emptiness and despair are constant.
While there’s no set timetable for grieving, if it doesn’t let up
over time or extinguishes all signs of joy laughing at a good joke, brightening
in response to a hug, appreciating a beautiful sunset it may be depression.
Other symptoms that suggest depression, not
just grief:
Ø Intense, pervasive sense
of guilt.
Ø Thoughts of suicide or a
preoccupation with dying.
Ø Feelings of hopelessness
or worthlessness.
Ø Slow speech and body
movements.
Ø Inability to function at
work, home, and/or school.
Ø Seeing or hearing things
that aren’t there.
No comments:
Post a Comment