Grief can be profound sadness over a loss.  It can feel huge and it can feel as though it will never get any better.

Is it important to know if there is a difference between depression and grief?  How can it really matter?  

The reality about grief is that it takes time to become adjusted to your loss, and time will start to shift your prospective of how you are feeling.

Grief is

Appropriate grief takes time before it allows you to start taking back your life.  It can feel like getting over a flu that has taken hold of you.  What starts to happen for many people is that at some time, you start to be interested in your life again.

Depression is

Depression can be anywhere from a mild form to clinical depression which takes over a person so that it is very hard to participate in life.  It can be very difficult to work, sleep, eat, and relate to other people.  Depression can cause people over time to shut down.

Grief is a natural reaction to loss

Loss of a loved person, loss of a marriage, a relationship, a job, a pet and so it takes time to adjust to being without that person or situation.

Depression can be caused by an event or a chemical imbalance

Depression can be precipitated by an event or it can be a chemical imbalance in your brain, or it can be something that has been stirring for a very long time inside of you.

Seek help if you need it

It is important to be able to sift through what is going on with you and get appropriate help.  The longer the depression or grief goes on, the longer it will take to get back to your life.  Please talk to a professional and work out what is going on with you.  Get the support you deserve in order to live the life in the healthiest way possible.