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What Causes Anxiety And Depression While Mourning For Death Of Family Member?

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Posted on Mon, 21 Aug 2017
Question: I am suffering from anxiety and depression due to the loss of my husband. I think that the systoms are
getting worse. I see and talk to people who is not there so that why it is getting worst. I need help.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj (50 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Sometimes this is a normal reaction- Advises given more in detail below

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for asking at Healthcaremagic.

I am sorry for your loss you had and understand that it really effects you and you are going through some difficult time. Loosing a close and dear person in the family might effect out emotions and cause some anxiety and symptoms of depression. It is normal to have these happen for a few weeks after a loss or stressful situation. In acute stress and grief people might experience even hallucinations (sensing things that do not exist).

If you are able to notice that these are not real people you are talking to, this in itself is a sign that this is not true psychosis and that you are able to make the difference of what is real and what is not and in a way has good chance this is not dangerous and is very likely to go away soon.

It is very advisable for you to see your doctor at this time to express these as there are many ways a doctor can help. First of all will be an ear hearing to you and this in itself helps relieve some of the symptoms and make you feel better. The doctor will also examine you and ask questions and try to rule out conditions that need quick intervention.
There are also medical pills that can help relieve the symptoms and help you feel better, these are not always needed and after the doctor has asked you and monitored you will better know if you need those or not. Your doctor might choose among the many drug groups available the one that is better for you but as said above they are not always necessary. I would not recommend you to take pills without a full visit with your doctor. Wellbutrine you are taking is a drug for depression and you need to check the dose with your doctor and if in optimal dose might consider if it would be beneficial to combine it with another antidepressant or other drugs that effect mood, called mood stabilizers.

Some counselling might help also- this will help you express yourself and address thoughts and emotions that are hurting you and that need to be addressed and how to manage them. Combining counselling and behavior therapy with the medications has higher efficiency in these cases.

The "conversations" you are having might have different themes and is very important that if they ask you to do things against yourself and/or others you will need to have urgent medical care as this is not safe.

On the other hand having a healthy lifestyle like eating well, resting enough, avoiding smoking, alcohol and stimulants (caffeine and others), going for walks, purposing to meet friends and family and have quality time with them if possible, try to keep yourself busy with activities you enjoy, exercising regularly- all these can help the symptoms go earlier.

I hope this is helpful and answers to your question but please feel free to write back if anymore clarification is needed on this.

I wish you will get strength and courage in this situation.

Kind regards,

Antoneta Zotaj, MD
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 4435 Questions

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What Causes Anxiety And Depression While Mourning For Death Of Family Member?

Brief Answer: Sometimes this is a normal reaction- Advises given more in detail below Detailed Answer: Hello, Thank you for asking at Healthcaremagic. I am sorry for your loss you had and understand that it really effects you and you are going through some difficult time. Loosing a close and dear person in the family might effect out emotions and cause some anxiety and symptoms of depression. It is normal to have these happen for a few weeks after a loss or stressful situation. In acute stress and grief people might experience even hallucinations (sensing things that do not exist). If you are able to notice that these are not real people you are talking to, this in itself is a sign that this is not true psychosis and that you are able to make the difference of what is real and what is not and in a way has good chance this is not dangerous and is very likely to go away soon. It is very advisable for you to see your doctor at this time to express these as there are many ways a doctor can help. First of all will be an ear hearing to you and this in itself helps relieve some of the symptoms and make you feel better. The doctor will also examine you and ask questions and try to rule out conditions that need quick intervention. There are also medical pills that can help relieve the symptoms and help you feel better, these are not always needed and after the doctor has asked you and monitored you will better know if you need those or not. Your doctor might choose among the many drug groups available the one that is better for you but as said above they are not always necessary. I would not recommend you to take pills without a full visit with your doctor. Wellbutrine you are taking is a drug for depression and you need to check the dose with your doctor and if in optimal dose might consider if it would be beneficial to combine it with another antidepressant or other drugs that effect mood, called mood stabilizers. Some counselling might help also- this will help you express yourself and address thoughts and emotions that are hurting you and that need to be addressed and how to manage them. Combining counselling and behavior therapy with the medications has higher efficiency in these cases. The "conversations" you are having might have different themes and is very important that if they ask you to do things against yourself and/or others you will need to have urgent medical care as this is not safe. On the other hand having a healthy lifestyle like eating well, resting enough, avoiding smoking, alcohol and stimulants (caffeine and others), going for walks, purposing to meet friends and family and have quality time with them if possible, try to keep yourself busy with activities you enjoy, exercising regularly- all these can help the symptoms go earlier. I hope this is helpful and answers to your question but please feel free to write back if anymore clarification is needed on this. I wish you will get strength and courage in this situation. Kind regards, Antoneta Zotaj, MD