Does Lexapro help with grief? (3+ Tips)

In this article, we will talk about whether Lexapro helps with grief. We will also look at the research studies to see if Lexapro helps with grieving and investigate other alternative treatments for grief management.

Does Lexapro help with grief?

No, Lexapro does not alleviate grief, however, doctors may occasionally prescribe an antidepressant like Lexapro to help treat anxiety and depressive symptoms caused by severe grief.

Even though Lexapro may assist some people in overcoming the emotional difficulties that accompany grief, it is important to acknowledge that grief is a normal and complicated emotional response to loss.

It is not a mental condition, but rather a process that everyone goes through differently. 

What does research suggest?

There is little research on Lexapro’s use in treating grief. Most of the research has been done on people with complicated grief or depression caused by grief.

In a clinical study involving thirty individuals, escitalopram (Lexapro) was found to alleviate symptoms of grief, anxiety, and depression among people going through major depressive episodes brought on by the death of a loved one (1). 

Which coping strategies help manage grief?

You can overcome the challenging emotions associated with grief. Here are some of the approaches to consider (2,3):

• Take care of your physical health: Eat balanced meals, get regular sleep, and engage in activities that promote physical well-being. Taking care of your body can support your emotional well-being.

• Maintain a routine: Your sense of normalcy is disrupted by grief, which also affects your emotions. Maintaining a routine might help you regain control over your emotions. Establish a schedule for sleeping and eating. Take a shower every day.

• Take care of your feelings: Do not ignore uncomfortable emotions by getting occupied with work. Instead, share your feelings with friends or family, remember the good old days, or write in a diary. Allow yourself to cry.

• Be patient: It requires patience and time to heal from grief. Take your time and don’t rush the grieving process.

• Reach out to others: One of the best ways to deal with loss and grief is to remind yourself of the connections you still have. Do not isolate yourself and connect with the people who love and support you.

• Consult a grief therapist or counsellor: Sometimes seeking professional assistance is necessary to process grief. You should see a therapist if your symptoms haven’t improved after six months or if grieving is making it difficult for you to live your life.

How grief therapy is helpful?

Therapy can help you process your feelings and emotions and get over anxiety and depression following a loss.

Every mental health professional may employ a different strategy to assist patients in overcoming bereavement, some of them are given below (4,5):

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT):

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a prominent treatment strategy used by therapists for grief. In a CBT session, the therapist will assist you in recognizing negative thought patterns that may influence your behaviour.

When discussing how these ideas impact your mood and behaviour, they may urge you to examine and manage thoughts of loss and grief. They can assist you in reducing the impact by using techniques like behaviour targeting, reframing, and reinterpreting.

Group therapy:

Joining a grief support group can be quite helpful, as it unites people who have experienced loss similarly, providing a secure space for them to express their feelings and helping people cope with their loss. 

Grief support groups are intended to provide safe, judgment-free settings for people in need.

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT):

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) uses mindfulness to help people in the processing of grief and acceptance of loss. This kind of therapy is often helpful for complicated grief that lasts a year or longer following a loss.

ACT helps you get over loss emotionally. It also allows you to start analyzing any emotions you have been repressing. 

Can grief be treated with medication?

Medication is not typically used as a primary treatment for normal grief, as people heal from grief over time, however, drugs can sometimes be considered in specific situations, particularly when grief is accompanied by severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions. 

People experiencing complicated grief are occasionally prescribed antidepressants, like escitalopram (Lexapro), sertraline, and citalopram, etc., because grief and depression often have similar symptoms. These medications are prescribed in combination with therapy.

Benzodiazepines are occasionally given to treat anxiety or insomnia caused by grief. However, research indicates that benzodiazepines have little effect on grief-related symptoms, so benzodiazepine dependence outweighs treating anxiety or insomnia due to grief (6).

Any decision to use medication for grief should made in consultation with a qualified mental healthcare professional. They will conduct a thorough assessment to determine if medication is needed and if so, which type and dosage would be most beneficial. 

Conclusion

In this article, we have concluded that Lexapro does not help with grief, however, it can be used to treat depressive symptoms associated with grief. We have also discussed several non-pharmacological ways and alternative therapies to deal with grief. 

References