Depression vs Sadness: How to Tell the Difference

In working as a mental health professional, I've had countless encounters with individuals who mistook their intense feelings of sadness for depression. Similarly, I've dealt with others who were dealing with profound sorrow but were plagued by concerns that they were veering into the territory of depression. The common denominator here is the pervasive sadness that is synonymous with depression. This has made distinguishing between these two prevalent psychological states a challenge for many. However, it is an issue that we can ill afford to neglect.

Failing to make the proper distinction can lead to serious repercussions. On one hand, we might fail to recognise and treat a serious condition like depression. On the other, we could end up overreacting to a normal emotional state such as sadness. This distinction is particularly critical, considering the implications of untreated depression on our long-term mental health, physical wellbeing, and life expectancy.

To better understand the key differences, let's consider what each term entails. Sadness, a universal human emotion, is something we've all encountered and undoubtedly will experience again. This emotion typically emerges in response to a challenging, distressing, or disappointing event, experience, or situation. In essence, our feelings of sadness are linked to a particular cause. Consequently, as we heal from an emotional wound, adjust to a new reality, or overcome a loss or disappointment, our sadness naturally subsides.

Depression, however, is not a normal emotional state. It is a mental health issue that permeates our thoughts, emotions, perceptions, and behaviours in chronic and profound ways. Unlike sadness, depression can make us feel despondent about everything in life. It does not necessarily need a triggering event, situation, or change in circumstances. Sometimes, depression can arise seemingly out of nowhere, even when life seems perfectly fine on paper.

Depression taints every facet of our lives, rendering everything less pleasurable, less interesting, less important, less loveable, and less worthwhile. It drains our energy, motivation, and our capacity to experience joy, pleasure, excitement, anticipation, satisfaction, connection, and meaning. It reduces our resilience, making us more impatient, quicker to anger or frustrate, quicker to crumble, and slower to recover. Moreover, the blurred lines between sadness and depression can lead to unfortunate consequences. Those grappling with depression are often expected to "pull themselves together," with comments like "it's all in your mind," or "just choose happiness!" These sentiments reflect a fundamental misunderstanding of depression and serve only to compound the distress of the person experiencing it.

To fully appreciate the extent of depression, it's crucial to understand its true symptoms. For a formal diagnosis of depression, an individual must exhibit at least five of the following symptoms for a continuous period of at least two weeks. However, bear in mind that the severity of these symptoms should be taken into account; therefore, consider these as a guide and seek a mental health professional for a conclusive diagnosis:

  1. Depressed or irritable mood most of the time.

  2. A loss or reduction of pleasure or interest in most activities, including ones previously enjoyed.

  3. Significant changes in weight or appetite.

  4. Difficulty falling asleep or sleeping excessively.

  5. Feeling physically slowed down or restless most days.

  6. Feeling tired, sluggish, and lacking energy most days.

  7. Experiencing feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt most days.

  8. Having trouble with thinking, focus, concentration, creativity, and making decisions most days.

  9. Entertaining thoughts of dying or suicide.

Take note, only specific highly qualified mental health practitioners in Australia, such as clinical psychologists or psychiatrists, can diagnose mental health conditions, using an array of assessments and tests.

If you or someone you care about may be grappling with depression, it is vital to consult with a trained mental health professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Depression is a widespread mental illness, and fortunately, there are numerous effective treatments available that benefit most people.

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Establishing Personal Boundaries

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Introduction to Managing and Navigating Strong Feelings