| No. |
Grief |
Depression |
| 1 |
There is an identifiable loss |
A specific loss may or may not be identified |
| 2 |
The person's focus is on the loss |
The person's focus is on self |
| 3 |
Fluctuating ability to feel pleasure |
Inability to feel pleasure |
| 4 |
Fluctuating physical symptoms |
Prolonged and marked functional impairment |
| 5 |
Closeness of others is usually comforting |
Persistent isolation from others and self |
| 6 |
Able to feel a wide range of emotions |
Fixed emotions and feeling "stuck" |
| 7 |
May express guilt over some aspects of the loss |
Has generalized feelings of guilt |
| 8 |
Self-esteem is usually preserved after the loss |
Feelings of worthlessness and self-loathing common |
| 9 |
Thoughts of death are typically related to wanting to be reunited with the deceased loved one |
Thoughts of death related to feeling worthless, undeserving of life or unable to cope with the pain |
