The Difference between Sadness and Depression

A lot of people assume the feeling of being depressed and the feeling of sadness are the same. That assumption is partly correct as sadness is one of the attributes of depression. Therefore, depression is so much more than feeling sad because that emotion is only one side effect of having depression. It is so much more than being in a sad mood and feeling low.

We have all experienced sadness at some point in our lives. Normally, this experience will go away on its own and has very little impact on someone’s everyday life. By definition, ‘sad’ is the feeling of unhappiness.

In contrast, depression is a mental illness. By definition, it is a low mood that can affect your daily life for weeks, months or even years. Depression evokes feelings of hopelessness and unworthiness, which then ties into feelings of guilt as they believe they are letting people down. As it is an illness, there is not always a cause, and it can arise from nowhere at any time.

Psychological Signs of Depression:

• Constant low mood

• Suicidal thoughts

• No enjoyment from life

• Difficulty when making decisions

• No motivation

• Feeling irritated

• Feeling guilty

• Low self-esteem

• Feeling hopeless

Physical Symptoms of Depression

• Moving/speaking slowly

• Disturbed sleep

• Low sex drive

• Lack of energy

• Constipation

• Changes in appetite or weight

From my personal experience, depression is a constant doom. It is as if nothing is okay, and nothing will be okay. You are unable to see a way out of that way of thinking. It is being in a room with a group of people you love, and they love you, but you do not feel anything from being there. You make plans with people, but no excitement builds up in the run up to them and in your mind, you would rather not go. It is getting frustrated at thinking all these things but not being able to stop it. It’s when you stop loving the things that you used to love so much.

If you think you or a friend is depressed, please do something about it. There are so many places, people and medication that will help. If the sadness does not go away and there is no reason for it, you need help and you need to talk to someone about it. I promise the pain will only get easier to manage when you let people know about it.

Remember, it is okay not to be okay.

Links:

CALM - Visit www.thecalmzone.net or call 0800 58 58 58 daily from 5pm to midnight

Mental Health Foundation - Visit www.mentalhealth.org.uk

Mind - Visit www.mind.org.uk or call 0300 123 3393 Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm

Rethink Mental Illness - Visit www.rethink.org or call 0300 5000 927 Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 4pm

Samaritans - Visit www.samaritans.org.uk or call 116 123, their free 24-hour helpline