This is a short article, written by Assignment Help Online, in which the difference between grief ad reactive depression is given while focusing on the treatment of reactive depression in the end. Stressful incidents in life that might lead to reactive depression can be referred to as any incident that changes or threatens to change the normal lifestyle or expectations of a person. People handle stress differently and therefore; the manifestation of reactive depression will also vary from person to person. Some of the most common events that might lead to situational or reactive depression can be the demise of a loved one, termination of a relationship, an accident, a sudden job loss or rejection. People are different from one another and therefore, it is difficult to predict which situation will cause reactive depression in a person. It might be observed that a person can cope up with an unfortunate incident such as the death of a close relative more effectively than another person who might be impacted so much by the death of a close relative that he or she might fall victim to a reactive depression. We should bear in mind that grief is an emotion that is completely different from reactive depression.

Many situations in life lead to grief but do not lead to a reactive depression. Some symptoms of grief and reactive depression often overlap each other. This often makes it difficult to distinguish between grief and more concerning reactive depression. When people go through grief, they demonstrate some symptoms such as irritability, detachment, headaches, sore muscles, fatigue, numbness, and even digestive problems. These symptoms can also be observed in persons going through reactive depression. So, how can we distinguish between a grief experience and experiencing a reactive depression? When a person is going through a situation of normal grief then it might make it difficult for the person to carry on the daily activities. But normal grief can be resolved with time as a person normally adapts with the situation as time goes on. But, in the case of the person continuing to remain in a state of grief for a substantially long period then it can indicate that the person might be having reactive depression.

Treatment of Reactive Depression

It is quite difficult for medical practitioners to identify whether an individual having normal grief experiences or reactive depression symptoms. In the case of normal grief, symptoms like bitterness, numbness, irritability, detachment, sore muscles, digestive problems, fatigue, and headaches are normal symptoms. There can be a person suffering from reactive depression with similar symptoms and experiences. Hence, a medical practitioner needs to investigate whether an individual having similar symptoms is suffering from normal grief or reactive depression. In the case of normal grief, individuals also face difficulties in carrying out normal daily life activities. However, normal grief does not last for longer. But reactive depression if not diagnosed and treated timely can be a severe illness which can last for longer. There are several therapy sessions which are needed in curing reactive depression because an individual with such depression cannot combat the illness by self-diagnosis. In treating reactive depression, supportive psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioural therapies are effective. Medications including selective serotonin uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or dopamine reuptake blockers can be effective. For more information, on any other topic, you can also go to Assignment Help , where experts will provide you detailed guidance on any topic or any subject.