Depression Support Group
Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.
I have Goggled for information about handling grief (in my case, loss of spouse) when you already have been diagnosed for years with clinical depression. I got nowhere with that search, except a few articles saying that, yes, if you were already depressed, grief could make you more so. Duh! What I'd like is some info about the difference in healing from your grief when you have depression versus folks who were "normal" before the loss. Does anyone have any ideas?
Very sorry for your loss.
I have some personal experience in this area. In 2013 my father passed away suddenly and it drove my depression much further than I expected. Being familiar with the signs of depression was helpful in a way. My deep fear of what I was capable of in that state pushed me to check into a treatment center before I could harm myself too seriously.
The key for me was the realization that I couldn't deal with my grief on top of my regular issues. I saw a counselor that specialized in grief twice a week at first and a psychiatrist once every three weeks. They adjusted my regular medication and gave me additional medications meant to relieve my anxiety and insomnia.
There was a lot of reading, eventually group therapy. I think my therapist mostly wanted to pull me further out of my depression before helping me truly come to terms with my grief. Getting me through the initial shock, you could say.
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and I wish you the very best as you cope with this. Remember to take it one day at a time - one hour at a time, if you have to. The people we lose only ever wanted us to live well and love ourselves.
Are you sad for no reason? That's depression.
Are you sad because of someone you loved passed away? That's grief.
That's the main difference. I'm not telling you what to do, I'm just stating the fact. I know this, I'm a griever. I was misdiagnosed with depression, but I can relate.
I don't think there's a difference between depression and people who were normal before the loss. It's all down to depression or grief and it depends on how they cope with it. If it's both, depression can be managed and grief is different. They are not the same.
I can tell you about grief, but this is a Depression forum. Feel free to pm me if you want to know more. Hugs
First let me begin to say how terribly sorry I am for your loss. For those of us who are already depressed this takes us into such a hole that those who are not depressed cannot even begin to fathom the pain that we feel.
I know this because as a life long sufferer myself, the loss of beloved father followed by the abandonment of my husband of 20 years, I was so far "gone" I had to be placed in a Mental Health Facility for my own safety.
Suffice to say, those who dont suffer would have experience a huge amount of loss and grief, but would not have slid as far as those of us that have depression to start with. They dont have the biology that takes them so deep. So it is easier for them to handle this tremendous losses and the recovery that comes naturally to them.
For us, our brain actually changes. This can be seen on Dr Amen's website where SPECT scans are used to show these changes. There are dramatic differences between those of us who are depressed and those who arnt. It is fascinating and you may be interested to check them out.
Anyway, I just want to again give you my deepest condolences for your loss. Dont let anyone tell you that you should get over it by now. This is not an easy thing for those of us who are already depressed...it takes a lot longer for sure.
Best of luck to you and I am here if you need to talk.