Is It Depression or Sadness?

Sadness is a human emotion that all people feel at certain times during their lives. Feeling sad is a natural reaction to situations that cause emotional upset or pain. There are varying degrees of sadness. But like other emotions, sadness is temporary and fades with time. In this way, sadness differs from depression.

Depression is a longer-term mental illness. It impairs social, occupational, and other important areas of functioning. Left untreated, symptoms of depression may last for a long time.

Symptoms

When you’re sad, it may feel all-encompassing at times. But you should also have moments when you are able to laugh or be comforted. Depression differs from sadness. The feelings you have will affect all aspects of your life. It may be hard or even impossible to find enjoyment in anything, including activities and people you used to enjoy. Depression is a mental illness, not an emotion.

Symptoms of depression may include:

• Constant feelings of sadness
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Changes in sleeping or eating patterns
• Difficulty concentrating
• Loss of interest and enthusiasm for things which used to provide pleasure
• Feelings of deep, unwarranted guilt
• Physical symptoms, such as headaches or body aches that do not have a specific cause
• Feelings of worthlessness
• Constant thoughts about death
• Suicidal thoughts or actions

You may have some of these symptoms if you are sad, but they shouldn’t last more than two weeks. Suicidal thoughts are a sign of depression, not sadness.

Risk factors

Depression can occur in both men and woman of any age. Depression affects people across all ethnic groups and socioeconomic backgrounds.

There are several risk factors for depression. But having one or more risk factors doesn’t mean you’ll become depressed. Risk factors include:

• Early childhood or teenage trauma
• Inability to cope with a devastating life event, such as the death of a child or spouse, or any situation that causes extreme levels of pain
• Low self-esteem
• Fmily history of mental illness, including bipolar disorder or depression
• History of substance abuse, including drugs and alcohol
• Lack of family or community acceptance for identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT).
• Trouble adjusting to a medical condition, such as cancer, stroke, chronic pain, or heart disease
• Trouble adjusting to body changes due to catastrophic injury, such as loss of limbs, or paralysis
• History of prior mental health disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or anxiety disorder
• Lack of a support system, such as friends, family, or coworkers

Depression is also a possible side effect of some medications. If you’re concerned that a drug you’re taking is affecting your mood, discuss it with your doctor. Some medications that might cause depression include:

• Beta-blockers
• Corticosteroids
• Hormonal medications
• Statins, which are drugs used to treat high cholesterol