It’s not always easy to tell the difference especially after the death of a loved one. But depression is very different in terms of duration and severity. Sometimes, the bereaved get stuck in the past and find it difficult to see any future in their lives. We all experience pivotal events that change our lives. Not all depressed people have all the listed symptoms and their severity may vary. The key signs of depression are: • The grief is present all the time and you never have any joy. • Depression is severe and it interferes with your daily life. • You are persistently sad, anxious and numb • You have feelings of hopelessness and feel worthless • There are frequent crying episodes • You have increased agitation and restlessness • No energy and always very fatigued • You have no interest in activities or hobbies that you once enjoyed • You can’t concentrate or make any decisions • You are either sleeping all the time or not sleeping enough • You either have no appetite or are overeating to fill the void • Thoughts of dying or suicide are always with you • More physical aches or pains, headaches or digestive problem Before I go any further, I’m not talking about grief which is a healthy expression of your emotions. Grieving is normal but once we slip from grief into depression it’s very hard to get back on our feet again. One of the biggest barriers to seeking professional help is the stigma attached to mental illness. We may feel ashamed that we can’t seem to get out of our depression on our own. Mental illness is still widely misunderstood but don’t let stigma stand in the way of getting help. A good place to start is with your doctor because you already have history with him/her. They may even suggest another professional who can help you.