When someone close to you passes away, it’s natural to feel a whirlwind of emotions. You might be overwhelmed by grief, but at some point, you may wonder if what you’re feeling is something more. That’s where the line between grief vs. depression feels blurry.

We all experience the heartache of loss differently, but understanding these two emotional states is essential. While grief is a natural response to loss, depression can sometimes creep in and make things even harder.

In addition, longstanding intense grief can also bring a diagnosis of Prolonged Grief Disorder.

Knowing the difference between these types of sadness and pain can help you find the right support so you don’t have to go through this alone.

Mental Health After a Loss: Is Intense Sadness Normal?

Losing a loved one brings intense sadness. It can be overwhelming, leaving you unsure of what’s normal and what might signal a deeper issue.

We all experience grief in our own way, but it’s essential to understand the differences between grief and depression as you navigate mental health after a significant loss.

Let’s explore how grief emotions impact us, when deep grief is expected, and when it might be time to seek professional help.

Understanding Grief and Depression

Both grief and depression share many similarities—feelings of sadness, anger, or guilt may fill your mind. However, there are clear differences.

Grief is a natural response to losing someone, especially a lost loved one, and it comes in waves. Some days might feel more manageable, while others are heavy with emotion. This is part of the grieving process.

In contrast, depression symptoms tend to linger and affect one’s life more deeply. If you feel depressed for at least two weeks without relief or find that you’ve lost interest in activities that once brought joy, it might be a sign of something more serious, like prolonged grief disorder or clinical depression.

When Deep Grief Becomes Complicated: Prolonged Grief Disorder

For most people, experiencing grief is part of a natural cycle. Yet, sometimes, that grief becomes more intense and long-lasting, crossing into what’s known as prolonged grief disorder.

If sadness, anger, or trouble coping with the loss of a deceased person persists beyond what feels manageable, it may indicate complicated grief.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, this type of grief can disrupt your ability to function in day-to-day life. Physical symptoms, like trouble sleeping or a lack of energy, can also accompany these emotions.

An individual with prolonged grief disorder may experience intense longing for the person who has died or preoccupation with thoughts of that person. In children and adolescents, the preoccupation may focus on the circumstances around the death.

Additionally, the individual may experience significant distress or problems performing daily activities at home, work, or other important areas. The persistent grief is disabling and affects everyday functioning in a way that typical grieving does not.

For a diagnosis of prolonged grief disorder, the loss of a loved one had to have occurred at least a year ago for adults and at least 6 months ago for children and adolescents.

In addition, the grieving individual must have experienced at least three of the symptoms below nearly every day for at least the last month prior to the diagnosis.

Symptoms of prolonged grief disorder (APA, 2022) include:

Identity disruption (such as feeling as though part of oneself has died).
Marked sense of disbelief about the death.
Avoidance of reminders that the person is dead.
Intense emotional pain (such as anger, bitterness, sorrow) related to the death.
Difficulty with reintegration (such as problems engaging with friends, pursuing interests, planning for the future).
Emotional numbness (absence or marked reduction of emotional experience).
Feeling that life is meaningless.
Intense loneliness (feeling alone or detached from others).

In addition, the person’s bereavement lasts longer than might be expected based on social, cultural, or religious norms.

What Are the Signs of Clinical Depression?

Recognizing the signs of clinical depression can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to understand your own emotions or those of a loved one.

Depression doesn’t just show up as sadness—it affects many aspects of your mental and physical well-being. We often think of depression as a constant low mood, but it’s important to realize that it’s much more complex.

If you’re feeling persistently down for more than two weeks, it might be time to consider whether these symptoms are signs of something deeper.

If you’re facing a recent loss, get in touch with us at Renaissance Funeral Home and Crematory today. Find out how we can help guide you through each step of planning a meaningful and personal farewell.

Common Emotional Symptoms

Clinical depression often begins with emotional symptoms that can be hard to shake.

You might notice a sense of hopelessness or feelings of worthlessness that you just can’t shake.
Some people experience intense guilt, even when there’s no clear reason for it.
Feeling a deep sadness or an inability to enjoy things that once brought you happiness are also common.
Additionally, anger or irritability can show up, often surprising both you and those around you.

Physical Symptoms of Depression

Depression doesn’t just affect your emotions—it also takes a toll on your physical health.

You might feel exhausted all the time, even if you’ve been getting enough sleep.
Some people experience physical aches and pains or a feeling of heaviness in their limbs.
Appetite changes are another sign, as depression can cause you to lose interest in eating or, conversely, lead to overeating as a way to cope with your feelings.

Behavioral Symptoms to Watch For

One of the most telling signs of clinical depression is how it affects your behavior.

You might find yourself withdrawing from friends, family, or activities you once loved.
It’s common to feel overwhelmed by simple tasks, like getting out of bed or going to work.
You may notice that you’re unable to concentrate or make decisions as easily as before.
Sometimes, these behavioral changes can lead to neglecting personal care, like hygiene or regular responsibilities.

When to Seek Help

If you’re experiencing many of these symptoms, especially for longer than two weeks, it’s time to consider seeking help.

Clinical depression isn’t something you need to manage on your own. A mental health professional can provide a diagnosis and discuss treatment options with you, whether that involves therapy, medication, or a combination of both.

Don’t wait too long to reach out—getting the right help can make a huge difference in how you cope and recover.

Seeking Help from a Mental Health Professional

It’s important to acknowledge when you need extra support. A mental health professional can help guide you through these feelings, offering both grief and depression treatments that may include therapy or medication.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, often used to diagnose mental disorders, outlines specific depression symptoms, including a constant feeling of emptiness or suicidal thoughts. If you’re experiencing these, it’s essential to talk with a healthcare professional.

There are many mental health resources available, including therapy and support groups designed for those coping with the loss of a loved one.

Transitions Grief Care is one such group designed to offer “grief support for adults and children/teens (ages 5-17) and is available in-person and via telehealth to those who reside in our 8-county service area. For information regarding grief support for adults, please call 919-719-7199. For child/teen grief support, call Transitions Kids at 919-748-0823.”

View their Current Offerings Calendar to see additional activities such as:

Exploring Grief Through Expressive Arts (virtual)
Grief Walk
Conversations on Grief (virtual)
A Moment for Mindfulness (virtual)
Using Yoga in Grief (virtual)
Book Club (virtual)

Whether you’re dealing with the aftermath of a terminal illness or a sudden loss, seeking help early can make a huge difference in your overall well-being.

Taking Steps Toward Healing

Dealing with grief is never easy, but it doesn’t have to take over your entire life. Seeking support from mental health resources or a support group can help you process your emotions in a healthy way.

Whether through therapy or simply talking with others who have experienced a similar loss, there are ways to heal.

Keep in mind that while grief and depression share symptoms, they also have clear differences, and understanding those differences is key to moving forward after a significant loss.

The Intersection of Grief and Planning

One of the most difficult aspects of grief is planning a funeral or memorial when your emotions are all over the place.

At Renaissance Funeral Home and Crematory, we know this process is overwhelming, so we offer compassionate and comprehensive services to help ease the burden.

Read on to see how our many service options support you during these difficult times.

Cremation Services

Cremation is an increasingly popular choice, and we offer a range of options to accommodate your family’s wishes. We provide both direct cremation and cremation with services, allowing you the flexibility to plan a memorial service before or after the cremation.

With our state-of-the-art crematory and Tribute Center, your loved one is in our care at all times, giving you peace of mind throughout the process.

Traditional Funeral Services

At Renaissance Funeral Home and Crematory, we offer traditional funeral services that provide families with a structured way to honor their loved ones. Whether you prefer a religious or secular service, we can help create a meaningful event that includes viewings, memorial services, and graveside ceremonies.

Our team handles everything from venue coordination to floral arrangements, ensuring your focus remains on remembrance.

Green Burial Options

For those seeking an environmentally friendly alternative, we offer green burial services. This option avoids traditional embalming and focuses on natural, eco-conscious practices.

At Renaissance, we guide you through the entire green burial process, ensuring that your loved one’s values are honored while minimizing their environmental impact.

Aquamation Services

At Renaissance Funeral Home and Crematory, we also offer aquamation services, a gentle and eco-friendly alternative to traditional cremation.

Aquamation, also known as water cremation, uses water and an alkaline solution to accelerate the natural process of decomposition. This method is easy on the environment and uses fewer resources, making it a compassionate choice for families who value sustainability.

With aquamation, you can still hold a memorial service or scattering ceremony, just as you would with traditional cremation.

Pre-Planning Services

Pre-planning is one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give your family. At Renaissance Funeral Home and Crematory, we help you plan in advance, relieving your loved ones from the stress of making difficult decisions during a time of grief.

Whether you choose burial, cremation, or green burial, pre-planning allows you to ensure that others follow your wishes.

Grief Support and Aftercare

Grieving doesn’t end after the service, and neither does our support. At Renaissance, we offer grief resources to help you and your family navigate the emotional journey ahead.

Our experienced team is here to connect you with local grief support groups, counseling services, and other aftercare options that help ease your burden as you heal.

Planning In Advance or Need Immediate Help?

Whether you are planning in advance (preplanning) or facing an unexpected loss, we are here for you.

Contact Renaissance Funeral Home and Crematory online today or give us a call at 919-866-1866. Learn how we can help guide you through each step of planning a meaningful and personal farewell.