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Grief occurs in stages, includingdepression.
The depression stage of grief is marked by sadness as the reality of the loss sets in.
Everything may feel bleak and hopeless, and you may not feel like doing things you once cared about.
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If you feel this way, youre not alone.
At a Glance
Feelings of depression are a normal part of the grieving process.
What Are the Five Stages of Grief?
What Is the Depression Stage of Grief?
The depression stage is the fourth stage of the grief theory.
The duration, frequency, and intensity of their feelings and symptoms may also vary.
Everyone reacts to loss differently.
Withdrawing from people often makes feelings of depression worse.
Dont Avoid Your Emotions
Work onaccepting all the emotionsthat come up.
No feeling is right or wrong.
Self-judgments like “I shouldnt be feeling this way now” can make feelings of depression worse.
Perform a Meaningful Ritual
Rituals and routines can help you process and understand the loss.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor.
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
These symptoms are part of a normal reaction to a loss and generally fade with time.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Grief.
U.S. National Library of Medicine.Dr.
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2019;81(8):731-738. doi:10.1097/PSY.0000000000000717
Counseling Center, University of Washington.The stages of grief.
Nakajima S.Complicated grief: recent developments in diagnostic criteria and treatment.Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci.
2018;373(1754):20170273. doi:10.1098/rstb.2017.0273
