The diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder is generally not given unless the symptoms are still present 2 months after the loss.
Some disorders display similar or sometimes even the same symptom.
The clinician, therefore, in his diagnostic attempt has to differentiate against the following disorders which one needs to be ruled out to establish a precise diagnosis. The impact of the loss of a loved one or friend can be devastating. Individuals who experience the loss of a relationship through either a sudden death or a death following a longer illness may experience many different symptoms. Emotionally, common reactions to death include sadness, anger, guilt, loneliness, and shock. An individual may also notice physical symptoms including fatigue, weakness, and hypersensitivity.