Depression can sometimes be described as a fixation in grief, but with important distinctions. The idea that depression may involve being “stuck” in a prolonged state of grief aligns with certain psychological theories, particularly those related to complicated grief, unresolved loss, and Freudian fixation.
1. Freud’s Concept of Melancholia (Fixation in Grief)
Sigmund Freud, in Mourning and Melancholia (1917), suggested that melancholia (depression) occurs when a person becomes fixated on a lost object (a person, relationship, or ideal) and is unable to detach from it.
Unlike normal grief, where a person eventually processes and moves forward, melancholia leads to self-criticism, guilt, and a sense of worthlessness, resembling clinical depression.
2. Complicated Grief vs. Depression
In modern psychology, complicated grief (prolonged grief disorder) occurs when someone remains fixated on a loss for an extended time, struggling to adapt.
Depression, while it can be triggered by loss, often extends beyond grief and includes symptoms such as:
- Persistent sadness
- Loss of interest in life
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Suicidal thoughts
- Changes in appetite and sleep
3. Neurobiological Perspective: Grief vs. Depression
Grief is a natural emotional process, while depression is a mental health disorder with neurological and biochemical components.
Grief often involves waves of sadness, but depression creates persistent emotional numbness or despair.
4: Conclusion
While fixation in grief can contribute to depression, they are not always the same. Some people with unresolved grief develop complicated grief or major depression, but depression can also arise from other causes unrelated to loss.
