There are millions of people all around the world who have felt down or depressed at some point. One can more effectively deal with depression and sadness if one can distinguish between the two. Though sadness and depression go hand in hand, they are distinct experiences. Recognizing the need for treatment is assisted by awareness of the differences.
Sadness vs Depression
Sadness is a natural response to loss, disappointment, difficulties, and other challenging events. Part of being human is having down days. Feelings of sadness fade away, and you get back to your routine.
A person may claim to be “depressed,” but if their sadness lifts on its own and has minimal impact on their daily lives, it is probably not depression but rather a more familiar emotion.
When you have depression, it affects your feelings, your sense of self, and your ability to connect with other people in a meaningful way. This condition could also be called clinical depression, major depressive disorder, or major depression. People get depressed sometimes for no apparent reason, which can last for months or even years. This is much more than just feeling sad. When someone is depressed, they may feel like they don’t have a reason to live or can’t get out of their situation. They might feel bad for no reason at all. Some people might feel angry or irritable when they are sad. This could make it hard to concentrate or make a choice. Most people stop caring about things they used to enjoy, so they may stop talking to other people. Depression can make you have trouble sleeping, lose appetite and energy, and have strange aches and pains. Some people may have disturbing thoughts about giving up on life or dying (suicide). Depression lasts longer than two weeks and has effects that change people’s lives. It is an actual disease that can be treated well. Get help from a professional if you feel depressed or worried about falling into that trap.
Although depression and sadness go together, they are not the same.
All of us feel sad at some point in our lives, and it’s usually in response to something upsetting or trying they’ve gone through. For those who suffer from it, depression can have a devastating effect on their quality of life.