Verywell Mind

Grief Vs. Depression: Which Is It?

Grief and depression share overlapping symptoms such as intense sadness, insomnia, and appetite changes, but they diverge in duration and clinical trajectory. The DSM‑5’s removal of the bereavement exclusion means depressive episodes can now be diagnosed shortly after a loss, while a new Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) category captures chronic, debilitating grief. Studies show roughly 42% of bereaved individuals develop clinical depression within the first month, with 16% persisting after a year. Both conditions respond best to a combination of psychotherapy and, when needed, antidepressant medication.