Grief Westfield

Are Grief & Depression the Same Thing?

Grief and depression have some common symptoms, such as intense feelings of sorrow, poor sleep, and unpredictable outbursts of anger. However, there are some important differences between these issues.

Depression is a clinical disorder that can be the result of various factors, but often, it stems from a chemical imbalance in the brain. Grief is an emotional response to a significant loss. Usually, it happens after a loved one dies. However, grief can also arise in response to the loss of a job, a divorce, or even a devastating health diagnosis.

There are different types of grief, including:

• Anticipatory grief, which may occur when you know that a significant loss will occur in the future.
• Traumatic grief, which is a response to a particularly sudden, violent, or traumatic loss.
• Prolonged grief disorder, which lasts 12 months or longer in adults and can interfere with normal functioning.
• Complicated grief, which is a general term for various types of long-lasting and severe grief.

When Should You Seek Help for Grief?

Some people can cope with grief without professional assistance. Things like self-care, spending time with loved ones, and honoring the loss can all help with emotional healing.

Of course, if your grief is particularly difficult to deal with, you can and should consider getting treatment. Here are some signs that you may need professional assistance:

• You feel you are at risk of hurting yourself or someone else.
• You are struggling to fulfill your basic needs, such as food and hygiene.
• You are at risk of substance abuse, or you have already started abusing substances like alcohol or drugs.
• Your grief is affecting your relationships with your loved ones.
• Your grief has been ongoing for a long time, and you do not feel like it is getting any better.

How We Can Help You Overcome Grief

Our team wants to help you feel better! After we learn about your unique situation, we can suggest a treatment plan, which may include:

• SPRAVATO. This is a prescription nasal spray that works on brain receptors which play a role in mood. Some patients notice an improvement within hours of starting treatment.
• TMS therapy. Transcranial magnetic stimulation uses magnetic pulses to stimulate the brain in targeted ways, which may lead to a reduction in grief symptoms.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of talk therapy, wherein we can help you formulate strategies to identify and reshape negative thoughts that are keeping you in a state of grief.