The death of a loved one inevitability leads to a period of grieving. While each person grieves differently, some common patterns exist. Grief usually begins to resolve after approximately a year, and the person is able to think positively about the future. For some people, however, the experience of grieving leads into major depression. Effective mental health treatment exists for this type of depression.
Persistent Thoughts of Suicide
The bereaved person who becomes depressed may think often of suicide or his own death. He may discuss this with others or begin making "after-death" plans, such as planning his own funeral, writing a will or giving away personal belongings. While some of these activities may seem normal, the bereaved should be questioned on whether he is contemplating suicide.
Being Unable to Work
The person who has lost a loved one may have taken some time off from work. When she returns to work, indicators of a problem include lengthy absences or losing her job because of tardiness, poor performance or absences. The person with depression may not return to work after three months of being home.
Weight Loss
The American Cancer Society describes severe weight loss as being a sign of depression in a bereaved family member. He may forget to eat or simply lose interest in eating. His diet may be poor when he does decide to eat.
Substance Abuse
The grieving person who becomes depressed may lean on prescription drugs or alcohol to deal with her feelings of loss. These temporary fixes leave her ill-equipped to find healthy outlets for his emotions, and depression can worsen.
Insomnia
A lack of quality sleep is an indicator of depression in a grieving person. He may become accustomed to watching television until the early morning because of his chronic insomnia. He then may only sleep four to five hours each day.
Hopelessness
The depressed griever may discuss the hopelessness or futility of life. She may be unable to find happiness in anything around him and have no hope for the future. These expressions may be normal for the first few months following the death of a loved one, but they become a sign of depression when they continue indefinitely.
Physical Complaints
Johns Hopkins describes a phenomena in which the bereaved complains of symptoms of the injury or illness his loved one suffered. This is an indicator of major depression. Multiple physical complaints, such as backache, headache, body aches, fast heart rate, stomachache and difficulty breathing can also be symptoms of depression.
References
- Johns Hopkins: Is It Normal Grief or Depression?
- American Cancer Society: Major Depression and Complicated Grief
- "Health Assessment"; Lois Malasanos, R.N., Ph.D., et al; 1990
