Inside Mental Health

Is It Prolonged Grief or Depression? Understanding the Differences


Listen Later

What does it really mean to grieve — and when does grief become a danger to your life? In this weighty episode, host Gabe Howard sits down with Dr. Mary-Frances O’Connor, a leading expert in psychology whose work on grief and loss has touched millions. Dr. O’Connor shares groundbreaking insights on the subtle yet critical differences between the stereotypical grief process and prolonged grief, revealing why your heart can literally stop functioning due to loss.


From staggering statistics showing a man’s heart attack risk skyrockets on the day his spouse dies, to the intimate science of how our bonds regulate our well-being, this conversation is as thought-provoking as it is moving. Discover practical strategies to navigate those raw, overwhelming moments of loss, and learn how to build a personal toolkit for healing. Whether you're coping with grief yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode promises a deep, human exploration into turning heartbreak into hope.


This episode has been sponsored by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA).


“It's not just that you're having grief, which is normal. It's that we're unable to find a way to adapt given that we have grief. So people with prolonged grief feel like life holds no meaning anymore, or they feel so angry and bitter about what's happened that they have trouble connecting with their living loved ones.” ~ Mary-Frances O'Connor, PhD



Our guest, Mary-Frances O’Connor, PhD, is a professor of psychology at the University of Arizona, where she directs the Grief, Loss and Social Stress (GLASS) Lab, investigating the effects of grief on the brain and the body. Her book “The Grieving Brain” was included on Oprah’s list of Best Books to Comfort a Grieving Friend. O’Connor holds a PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Arizona and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in psychoneuroimmunology at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. Having grown up in Montana, she now lives in Tucson, Arizona.



Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe is also the host of the "Inside Bipolar" podcast with Dr. Nicole Washington.

Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Inside Mental HealthBy Healthline Media

  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5

4.5

457 ratings


More shows like Inside Mental Health

View all
Mental Illness Happy Hour by Paul Gilmartin

Mental Illness Happy Hour

5,821 Listeners

Good Life Project by Jonathan Fields / Acast

Good Life Project

3,285 Listeners

The One You Feed by iHeartPodcasts

The One You Feed

2,510 Listeners

Untangle by Untangle

Untangle

834 Listeners

The Hardcore Self Help Podcast with Duff the Psych by Robert Duff, Ph.D.

The Hardcore Self Help Podcast with Duff the Psych

969 Listeners

Counselor Toolbox Podcast with DocSnipes by Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes

Counselor Toolbox Podcast with DocSnipes

600 Listeners

Therapist Uncensored Podcast by Sue Marriott LCSW, CGP & Ann Kelley PhD

Therapist Uncensored Podcast

1,369 Listeners

The SelfWork Podcast by Margaret Robinson Rutherford PhD

The SelfWork Podcast

1,192 Listeners

Feeling Good Podcast | TEAM-CBT - The New Mood Therapy by David Burns, MD

Feeling Good Podcast | TEAM-CBT - The New Mood Therapy

838 Listeners

The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide with Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy by Curt Widhalm, LMFT and Katie Vernoy, LMFT

The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide with Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy

239 Listeners

Inside Schizophrenia by Healthline Media

Inside Schizophrenia

192 Listeners

Lisa A Romano Breakdown to Breakthroughs by Lisa A. Romano

Lisa A Romano Breakdown to Breakthroughs

763 Listeners

Therapy in a Nutshell by Therapy in a Nutshell -Emma McAdam

Therapy in a Nutshell

523 Listeners

Psychology Unplugged by Dr. Corey J. Nigro

Psychology Unplugged

691 Listeners

Adult Child by Andrea

Adult Child

1,781 Listeners

Inside Bipolar by Gabe Howard & Dr. Nicole Washington

Inside Bipolar

195 Listeners