What
Do I Do Now?
Dealing With The Loss Of A Loved One
Understanding
the Difference Between Grief & Depression
Ways to Help the Bereaved
There are generally five stages of
grief that are recognized by most behavioral health care professionals. It
is important to note that many people move between stages over a period of time
or skip stages altogether. The stages include:
Denial
Because of the enormity of the loss of a loved one, some people will simply deny
that the loss has even taken place. With this denial comes a feeling of
numbness that can last for a few moments to several years.
Anger
Once an individual realizes that he/she can no longer deny the loss of his/her
loved one, he/she may become angry. That anger may be turned towards any
number of situations or people, even the deceased.
Bargaining
An individual may attempt to relieve an event to somehow make up for the loss or
to do something differently that will bring back his/her loved one.
Depression
A sense of hopelessness can begin to envelope the individual when he/she
realizes that nothing will bring back his/her loved one.
Acceptance
At this point, an individual accepts the loss and begins to move on with his/her
life.
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Understanding
the Difference Between Grief and Depression
Whenever most people think about experiencing the loss of a
loved one, they immediately think about the emotional effect. There are
also potential physical and behavioral changes that can occur during this time.
Grief does not work on a specific timeline; therefore, an
individual may experience all the phases of grief several times within the grieving
process.
It is important to know that there is a time of grief necessary
after the death of a loved one; however, there is a difference between grief and
clinical depression. When grief turns into clinical depression, the care
of a professional behavioral health care provider is necessary. According
to Dr. Alan Wolfelt, there are several key differences, they may include:
| Extended
Grief |
Clinical
Depression |
| Responds to
comfort and support |
Does not accept
support |
| Often openly
angry |
Irritable and
may complain but does not directly express anger |
| Relates
depressed feelings to loss experienced |
Does not relate
experience to a particular life event |
| Can still
experience moments of enjoyment in life |
Has chronic
physical complaints |
| May have
transient physical complaints |
Has generalized
feelings of guilt |
| Expresses guilt
over some specific aspect of loss |
Loss of
self-esteem is of greater duration |
| Has temporary
impact upon self-esteem |
|
If you or someone you love is experiencing the symptoms of clinical
depression over the loss of a loved one, there is help available. Please
contact the CARELINE at (800) 662-1002 for information about services available
to help.
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