Grief vs. Depression in Seniors: How to Identify the Difference

Grief is one of the most impactful experiences we can have, and it's particularly common for seniors. But how does this affect depression statistics? According to the WHO, about 10%-20% of seniors deal with depression.

If you're struggling with emotional wellness in aging, Oakland, CA, is a beautiful city to improve your mental health. Whether you're here for the strong cultural ties, the gorgeous scenery, or the musical culture, you'll find plenty of reasons to smile.

If you're curious about senior mental health and coping with loss, we're here to help. Read on to learn more about depression in older adults and how grief vs depression can influence your mental state.

What Is Grief?

Simply put, grief is an emotional response to losing someone with whom you felt you had a close tie. According to the American Psychological Association, grief is the anguish that one experiences after a significant loss.

In most cases, this is the death of a beloved person, family member, or friend. However, grief is not reserved for those you have such a tie to. Pets, role models, and even celebrities you have a sentimental attachment to can all trigger a grief response.

Grief also comes in many different forms. For example, some people have experienced preemptive grief. Usually called anticipatory grief, Healthdirect defines this as the feelings of grief to an upcoming loss, such as the terminal illness of a loved one.

Grief is exceptionally personal and can range from person to person. As such, it's crucial not to compare yourself to others, especially on such a personal journey.

What Is Depression?

Just as grief is more than a single experience, depression is more than one thing. Did you know that depression is a blanket term we use to explain several different conditions?

Depression is what we call multiple conditions that have similar, and at times identical, symptoms. Some types of depression include:

• Seasonal Depression
• Major Depressive Disorder
• Persistent Depression

These depressions all have similar symptoms, but will afflict the individual in different ways. But how is depression different from grief?

Grief vs Depression: What's Different?

Grief and depression can have similar symptoms, but are wildly different conditions. One important fact to look at is how these may cause each other.

Grief is specifically the response to the loss of a significant individual. As such, depression cannot cause you to enter a state of grief. However, it may weaken your mental health to the point of experiencing anticipatory grief for a loved one.

Grief, however, can cause depression. Depression is defined by the Mayo Clinic as a mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness and loss. What could cause more persistent feelings of sadness and loss than grief?

In grief vs depression, grief can cause depression, but depression cannot cause grief. When one is bereaved, it's easy to slip into depression, so depression in older adults is crucial to understand.

Symptoms of Depression and Grief

Depression can cause an extreme range of symptoms. It's important to remember that depression is a personal condition that can cause a variety of symptoms. Please don't use this list of symptoms to self-diagnose; make sure that you're speaking to a professional.

Exhaustion and Disinterest

Exhaustion and fatigue are two of the earliest symptoms you may experience in depression. Many people of all age brackets report feelings of fatigue, especially in physical energy levels.

The primary difficulty here is that many seniors already struggle with fatigue. According to a study from Nature, as many as 42% of seniors have experienced physical fatigue. That number increases to more than 58% of seniors if we include mental fatigue.

Along with this fatigue is a general feeling of disinterest. Many people suffering from depression avoid old hobbies due to losing interest in them. Some people suffering from grief avoid old hobbies due to painful memories they may hold.

Shifts in Weight and Appetite Difficulties

Another common pair of symptoms is difficulties with weight and appetite. It's far from uncommon for depression in older adults to cause a senior to lose their appetite completely.

When this happens, it can seriously impact emotional wellness in aging. It's crucial for seniors to have a healthy diet to focus on their energy levels and overall physical health.

While losing weight is common, so is gaining weight. However, many things can cause you to gain weight, so don't assume depression is always the cause. If you feel yourself rapidly gaining weight, speak to a medical professional.

Anxiety and Restlessness

Anxiety is closely tied to depression, so much so that many people misdiagnose their depression as an anxiety disorder. Anxiety can accompany a whole host of neurological disorders, with grief and depression being two of the main causes.

Feelings of restlessness often accompany anxiety. Many seniors will cope with anxiety by trying to stay busy. While this can be helpful, it's important to cope with anxiety in healthy ways.

One way to battle anxiety is through a vibrant and joyous set of experiences. At The Point at Rockridge, we're proud to offer our Vibrant Life path to wellness. As experts in memory care and mood management, our programs are designed to ensure you're living your best life.

Inexplicable Physical Pains

Finally, one of the most common symptoms is inexplicable pain. It's far from uncommon for sufferers of grief and depression to find new aches, constant headaches, sore muscles, and more.

The primary issue here is that this is a common issue for adults of all age brackets. Indeed, as we age, this becomes a nearly universal experience for seniors. Due to this, such experiences make this symptom scarily easy for us to overlook.

Emotional Wellness in Aging

Understanding grief vs depression means focusing on the many ways these conditions can overlap. Remember that grief can cause depression, and both exhibit similar symptoms, making it easy to misdiagnose them. Above all else, don't hesitate to speak to a medical professional about your condition.

Sunny California is one of the best areas for senior mental health, and at The Point at Rockridge, we're happy to provide you with a comfortable Oakridge location. Our community is full of amenities, engaging community activities, and a blend of privacy, safety, security, and community. Contact us today to see how we can improve your golden years.