Is Depression and Sadness Same?

We often hear people saying, “I am so depressed”. Whereas they are extremely sad because of any situation; like losing a job, misunderstandings in relationships like experiencing a breakup, or maybe a small fight with parents. Is it hard for most of the people to tell if they are just sad or, in truth, have depression? Most of us might be using the word depressed as a replacement for sadness because of the unfamiliarity with the scientific terms. Is the word “Depressed” really a replacement for the word “Sad”?

The answer is big NO. Depression and sadness are related but distinct experiences. While they are both emotions associated with low mood, they differ in terms of intensity, duration, and underlying causes. We can say that – Sadness is like gaining weight because of eating junk food for a couple of weeks; whereas depression is obesity. Then what exactly is sadness and depression? How they are different from each other?

Sadness

Sadness can be coined as ‘feeling low’, ‘feeling down’, ’feeling blue’ etc. Being sad is a natural human emotion that every person experiences in response to specific events or situations. It is typically triggered by experiences such as loss, disappointment, or separation. Common example of situations which can cause sadness may be failing an exam, not getting a job, conflicts with family or friends, being ill, death of loved one’s, or moving to a new place etc.

Sadness is a normal part of the human emotional spectrum, and most people experience it at various times in their lives. It is usually temporary and does not stay with you for longer periods. Sadness tends to fade over time as we process our emotions and adjust to the circumstances.

When you are sad, you can easily carry out your daily routine. You may get over sadness all by yourself by using various techniques such as brain dump (writing your thoughts down), meditation or listening to your favorite music. You might just need to find out the way by which you can eliminate sadness. Sadness can be subjective. It is something that you experience independently.

You may also like to read : Sadness / I am Feeling Sad: 8 Ways that can help you feel better

Depression

On the other hand, depression is a mental health disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness that extend beyond what would be considered a normal response to life’s challenges. Unlike sadness, depression is not necessarily linked to a specific event or situation. It can persist for weeks, months, or even years, and may significantly impair a person’s ability to function in daily life.

Depression is a mental illness that is not experienced by everyone. It involves a complex interplay of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. It is an intense, longer-lasting mood that involves a range of symptoms beyond sadness. Such as changes in appetite and sleep patterns, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, low energy levels, difficulty concentrating, feelings of worthlessness or excessive inappropriate guilt, and even thoughts of self-harm or suicide. These symptoms are observed for a longer period does not pass as time goes.

Also Read: Depression Quotes to let you know you are not alone

When you are depressed, it is difficult to carry out your routine activities as well because of lethargy. Depression sometimes can feel like the your body and mind are completely shutting down. People with depression usually cannot pull themselves together. Instead of self-diagnosing, it is always suggested that a person seeks a mental health professional’s help to diagnose if you are going through depression or not. Also, the person himself/herself cannot and should not treat themselves. Instead of that, a person should always seek help from a mental health professional as a treatment. The treatment of depression includes psychotherapy as well as medications.

Depression is a common mental disorder affecting more than 280 million people worldwide. Depression is ranked as the single largest contributor to global disability. According to NIMH, an estimated 21.0 million adults in the United States had at least one major depressive episode. This number represented 8.4% of all U.S. adults.

You may also like to read : Depression Treatment Tips

Depression Vs. Sadness

1. Depression is a mental illness. Sadness is an emotion.
2. Sadness is a specific reaction. Depression is an abnormal general state.
3. Depression persists much longer. Sadness is brief.
4. Sadness temporarily changes your mood. Depression changes your life.
5. Depression is diagnosed. Sadness is subjective.
6. Depression goes away with professional treatment like therapy and/or medication. Sadness goes away with time and healthy lifestyle choices.

Wrapping Up!

Depression and sadness are the two sides of the coin and share some traits . Though they are linked to one another but are not the same, understanding the difference is important. While sadness is a common emotional response to certain life events, depression is a clinical condition that requires professional diagnosis and treatment. If someone experiences persistent low mood, loss of interest, and other depressive symptoms that interfere with their daily functioning and well-being, it is essential to seek help from a mental health professional. Though conquering depression needs efforts, it is always possible to overcome it in your life if you choose to take proper help. Mental healthcare professional can provide an accurate diagnosis, appropriate support, treatment and therapy.

That’s all from my side. I hope, you liked this article on mental health. Please share this on your favorite social media portals with your friends and relatives.

(Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. Before adopting preventive methods/measures/treatment, please seek medical advice)