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Depression After the Death of a Loved One

The death of a loved one is traumatic at best. While grieving is a natural process, for some, it gets worse instead of better over time. Grief that turns into depression presents the same risks as major depression. It can last for many months or even years. Untreated, the depression can lead to more serious consequences.

  1. Grief and Depression

    • Feelings of grief are normal after the death of a loved one. Grief may involve five stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Although depression is a stage of grief, it can turn into a more serious condition that lasts beyond the normal grief process. And not everyone who mourns the death of a loved one experiences all stages of grief. Unlike true depression, grief is characterized by a series of highs and lows. Over time, the periods of lows diminish in frequency and intensity. Depression however, is characterized by consistent lows and feelings of despair for an extended period of time.

    Loss and Depression

    • Dr. Sidney Zisook and Dr. Kenneth Kendler conducted research to investigate the similarities between grief depression (complicated grief) and major depression. Zisook is a professor of psychology at the University of California at San Diego and Kendler is a professor of psychology and human genetics at Virginia Commonwealth University. In their study, published in Psychological Medicine in 2007, the two found that complicated grief is closely related to major depression. By comparing the key characteristics of both types of depression, the doctors found that men and women are equally at risk from suffering from grief-related depression. Individuals are more likely to suffer from depression after the loss of a loved one if they are young or have a family or personal history of depression. Other triggers include poor health and little social support.

    Signs of Depression

    • The exact signs of depression are often dependent on a person's age and sex. The warning signs of depression include weight loss or weight gain, inability to concentrate, unexplained pain, headaches, inability to feel joy, loss of initiative, negative self-image, insomnia or excessive sleeping, loss of sex drive, indecisiveness, fatigue, irritability and persistent feelings of sadness, anger, and/or frustration.

    Risk Factors

    • Left untreated, depression can lead to a number of serious or harmful consequences. Many depressed individuals turn to alcohol or drugs to escape the pain. They may engage in isolating behaviors. They can become uncomfortable in social settings. In severe cases, they may avoid the company of others altogether. They are at increased risk for relationship problems with family members and friends. The life threatening consequences of untreated depression include risk for heart disease and suicide.

    When to Seek Help

    • Depression caused by loss may resolve itself over time. The grieving individual should seek help if there is a past history of depression, if the depression lasts for a lengthy period of time, interferes with functioning, is very severe or causes suicidal thoughts.

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