How to Cope With Depression During Grief
Net Doctor says that many people who are grieving a loss also become depressed. About 33 percent of them will be depressed for at least a month, and 15 percent are still depressed after a year. If you are depressed while grieving, and the depression will not lift, you may benefit from some coping strategies. They can improve your functioning and also help you work through the grief itself since depression can interfere with the grieving process.
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Instructions
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Determine whether you are actually depressed. Depression and grief can have similar symptoms. The American Cancer Society says that depression can be differentiated by several factors. These include feeling worthless, withdrawing from life, feeling guilt that is not related to the loss, not being able to function, having delusions and thinking about suicide.
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Make an appointment with your doctor. He may be able to confirm that you are depressed, or he may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to confirm the diagnosis. This is usually done after an assessment appointment and a screening test.
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Discuss treatment options for your depression. You may be treated by your doctor or the mental health professional who diagnosed you. According to Net Doctor, typical options include antidepressant medication or therapy sessions. You may also combine the options. If you opt for therapy, you can work on the depression as well as manging the grief.
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Follow your treatment plan. Depression is a paralyzing emotion that can sap your motivation. It's very important to take your medication and attend therapy sessions even if you don't feel like doing it. Make daily goals based on complying with your plan and review your progress every day.
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Tips & Warnings
Net Doctor says that it can take months, or even years, to completely work your way through the grieving process. Once you are coping with your depression effectively and functioning well in daily life, don't pressure yourself to hurry through the steps of grief. Come to terms with your loss in your own time frame.
Certain factors can make you more likely to suffer from depression when you are grieving. According to Net Doctor, these include previous bouts of depression, having little experience with loss and death, and a lack of social support. If you suffer a loss and have any of these risk factors, you should watch carefully for signs of depression so you can get treatment as early as possible.
