How to Tell Difference Between Sadness and Depression

It is difficult to tell the difference between sadness and depression. We often confuse the two because we associate depression with its salient symptom of persistent sadness.

While sadness is an emotion, depression is a mental disorder. Experiencing sadness might even help work through some difficult times. While depression is a mental disorder that causes interference in day to day chores. Sadness like any other emotion is brief although depression is persistent feelings of sadness, almost every day for two weeks or more.

Sadness is an individual’s subjective feelings and no one can deny that. On the other hand, depression has a set criterion of additional symptoms and requires an official diagnosis.

Now if you are confused even more and wondering if you are sad or depressed. Here are a few questions to ask yourself.

Can I still enjoy the things I like?

Sadness: Being sad is awful but even when you are sad you can still enjoy the things you like.

Depression: One of the important features of depression is the lack of interest or pleasure in things previously enjoyed.

Are my emotions about a particular event or thing?

Sadness: Sadness is often having a specific cause- maybe something related to rejection, homesickness, death of a closed one, or a breakup.

Depression: Let’s be clear, yes depression can be trigger by something but a depressed person is conditioned to react negatively, after which they experience a greater and more general feeling of depression.

Am I continuing to keep normal eating and sleeping pattern?

Sadness: You may be upset but on the whole, it is not seen to have changes in sleep or eating patterns of normal daily life.

Depression: Changes in appetite- overeating or not eating at all, excessive sleeping or insomnia are some of the major symptoms of depression. People with depression are often exhausted and have low energy levels.

Am I experiencing self-critical thoughts?

Sadness: You might blame yourself for something bad you did, but you don’t have feelings of worthlessness or guilt.

Depression: Depression is frequently accompanied by self-critical thoughts like I am worthless, I am not good at anything I do or excessive guilt.

Have I had thoughts about harming myself?

Sadness: Suicidal thoughts are not generally associated with sadness or grief.

Depression: People with depression may sometimes have suicidal or self-harming thoughts or might even go through with it.

It is important to connect with an experienced psychologist to gain an understanding and official diagnosis of your problem and have the psychologist help you through it.

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