Grief Turns to Depression
Grief is an internalized emotion that most individuals keep inside in order to display a strength and stability to other family members surrounding them in a time of need. Much of the earliest reactions when someone close dies suddenly are one of denial and disbelief. Yet there is a fine line developing between an individual experiencing a grief due to sudden death and gradually turning into depression. How and exactly when does this transition take place?
Normal grief stemming from the death of an elderly parent is traumatic, but not as traumatic as the death of a husband, a wife, or a child. In this situation it may be wise to consult with the family medical physician for some type of medication to aid the individual remain as steady as possible. Individuals in this situation may need for another family member or a friend to stay by their side for a period of time. Suffering such a loss as the death of a loved one is sometimes enough to push an individual over the edge. It will be at this point the signs of depression will begin to develop.
In general, there are three main stages of grief that most individuals suffer. The first stage will last between a few hours to a few days depending on how close the two individuals were and the relationship that was share between them. Sometimes the individuals reason for daily survival was so intertwined with the individual who has passed on it is clearly a turning point. The appetite is usually the first to go when someone becomes this upset.
Second stages will continue from several weeks, to six months, or longer and the pattern begins to develop between accepting the new situation to complete withdrawal. It is at this point that depression help is in order and perhaps a medical prescription for depression drugs. Emotions are running very erratic with fits of extreme sadness, loneliness, feelings of abandonment, feelings of guilt in the case of loss of a child, and more importantly loss of self-esteem.
Third stage is where these festering difficulties begin to surface and take hold of the emotions of the individual when they are unable to accept the loss. Refusals to speak to anyone, no more answering the telephone, remaining alone, and eliminating any form of socialization means it has now crossed over into a depression. Now is the time for other friends and family members to coerce the individual to see a medical physician for a depression test and ultimately depression therapy. Abnormal grief is that which is much more intense and will persist for an unusually longer time period.
Underlying cause for psychological depression, and even suicidal thoughts may begin to surface because the individual in question can no longer control his or her emotions. These grief reactions are more likely if the death was sudden and unexpected or when the grieving individual was very close. The onset of problems set in when abnormal pathological grief which blossoms into depression. Mental depression of this nature will need the expertise of medical physician. A proper depression test will be in process and this way the recommendation of a psychiatrist, psychologist, or even depression therapy is ascertainable.
There are so many reasons why an individual is unable to pick themselves up after suffering such a devastating experience and between the proper depression medication and one on one-therapy sessions, along with the constant assistance of family members and close friends the individual will begin to pick up and accept what has transpired.
Related Depression Posts