Is it really grief depression or just a bad day?  It's not always easy to tell the difference, especially when there seems like a good reason to be depressed, such as a chronic illness or loss of a loved one.  There are differences from sadness and depression in terms of duration and severity. A bad day will resolve on its own and doesn't stop you from enjoying life but depression gets a hold of you and is hard to shake.

• Duration: The symptoms are present almost all the time and last for months.
• Severity: It's too difficult to deal with daily life.

Keep in mind that depressed widows don't all experience the same symptoms, and the severity of symptoms may vary. But if someone exhibits several of these symptoms for more than a few month they may need to see their doctor. 1. Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" feelings 2. Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or helplessness 3. Frequent crying episodes 4. Increased agitation and restlessness 5. Fatigue and decreased energy 6. Loss of interest in activities or hobbies that once were pleasurable 7. Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions 8. Sleeping too much or not enough 9. Poor appetite or overeating 10. Expressing thoughts of dying or suicide 11. Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems. If you have recently lost a loved one then its not uncommon to have several of the above symptoms, but be careful that they don't take over your life and stop you from moving forward.