Is grief a mental illness? Yes, according to proposed revisions to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), if the symptoms continue beyond a two-week period. No, you didn't misread it, all that crushing sadness, crying, lack of appetite and sleeplessness that follows the loss of a loved one could soon be diagnosed as depression, rather than (as is currently the case) normal grief. Needless to say the proposals have been met with a virtual tsunami of criticism.

The...