Depression is defined, as per the American psychological association, as a mood disorder characterized by persistently negative feelings and changes in one’s thoughts and behavior. Over 25% of the global population suffers from depression and makes it the most common mental illness globally.
25% of the global population. That means approximately one in four people.
Here are six essential things that may help improve your understanding of the difference between sadness and depression.
SYMPTOMS
Depression causes a variety of symptoms. Symptoms may change from time to time. Men, women may feel different types of symptoms.
If you have been experiencing any of the following signs and symptoms for at least two weeks, you may be suffering from depression:
SYMPTOMS FOR MEN :
- Anger, irritability, or aggressiveness
- Feeling anxious, restless, or “on edge
- Loss of interest in work, family, or once-pleasurable activities
- Problems with sexual desire and performance
- Feeling sad, “empty,” flat, or hopeless
- Not being able to concentrate or remember details
- Feeling very tired, not being able to sleep, or sleeping too much
- Overeating or not wanting to eat at all
- Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts
- Physical aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems
- Inability to meet the responsibilities of work, caring for family, or other important activities
- Engaging in high-risk activities
- A need for alcohol or drugs
- Withdrawing from family and friends or becoming isolated
SYMPTOMS FOR WOMEN
- Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
- Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
- Irritability
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
- Decreased energy or fatigue
- Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
- Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
- Moving or talking more slowly
- Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
- Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without an exact physical cause that do not ease even with treatment
SADNESS IS AN EMOTIONAL REACTION, BUT DEPRESSION IS A MENTAL ILLNESS
Much like sneezing and coughing can be due to irritants like pepper, but you don’t have a cold. Similarly, you can feel sadness, but this doesn’t always mean a diagnosis of depression. Sadness is a part of the natural and emotional spectrum of healthy human emotions. That all of us experience at times throughout our lives. Feeling sad is a normal response to hurt or distress, and it also comes and goes, fading when the trigger is no longer present.
Depression does not come and go. It doesn’t come up only in response to hurt and distress. It’s merely present. Depression is one of the most misunderstood mental illnesses in the world. It is affecting over 16.1 million people in the United States alone.
SADNESS IS BRIEF BUT DEPRESSION IS PERSISTENT
Sadness is only an emotional state, it doesn’t usually last very long. Most people feel sad about something for only a few hours or a few days at a time, and after that, it usually fades on its own. Depression doesn’t. Depression is chronic and depressive episodes can last to months or even years, especially if left untreated. It’s a severe condition that requires psychological intervention from a mental health care professional before it can get better.
SADNESS IS SPECIFIC. DEPRESSION IS VAGUE
While sadness can sometimes seem to hit out of the blue, there usually is a reason behind it. Specific nameable events like failing at a task, disappointment in a job, or losing a loved one can elicit sadness. So while it’s easy to share and open up what’s making us sad, the same can’t be said for depression. Unlike sadness, depression is not a reaction to a negative situation. A common difficulty is that those struggling with depression don’t understand why they’re depressed.
While it’s true that specific events in most cases can occasionally trigger depressive episodes, depression seems to develop for no reason at all.
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