Sadness is a natural human emotion that we all experience at various points in our lives, and it’s often as a reaction to life's struggles, setbacks, or disappointments. Depression, on the other hand, is a mood disorder that is much more intense, lasts longer, and significantly impairs on your ability to function in daily life.
The transition from sadness to depression can sometimes be difficult to recognise, but there are many key differences:
Duration and Intensity
Sadness is usually temporary and linked to a specific situation or event. The feelings of sadness tend to lessen with time and by using coping mechanisms. Depression is persistent sadness that can last for weeks, months or years, and is not necessarily linked to a specific event. The feelings are intense and can be very overwhelming.
Impact on Daily Life
With sadness, people can usually continue with their daily tasks, and it doesn’t significantly impair on their ability to function at work, school or social activities. When someone is suffering with depression, this leads to a significant impairment in their daily life. They might lose interest in activities they once enjoyed, have difficulty performing daily tasks and find themselves withdrawing from social interactions.
Physical Symptoms
Sadness doesn’t usually have significant physical symptoms, whereas depression is often accompanied by physical symptoms such as changes in appetite or weight, sleep disturbances, loss of energy, and physical aches or pains without a clear physical cause.
Thoughts of Death or Suicide
Sadness can lead to temporary feelings of despair but these feelings are not usually focused on self-harm or suicide. Depression can often lead to people having persistent thoughts of death, suicidal ideation, or attempts to end their life.
Self-Esteem
Sadness does not generally cause long-term negative thoughts about self-worth, whereas for someone who has depression, this can often involve having pervasive feelings of worthlessness, excessive guilt, and thinking badly of yourself.
It's important to recognise that depression can be very complex and influenced by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of depression, especially if these feelings are overwhelming or include thoughts of self-harm or suicide, seeking professional help is an important step. You could start by making an appointment with your GP or with a therapist. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or having suicidal thoughts, please seek help immediately. Please call Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14, where people are on hand to offer 24 hours crisis support and suicide prevention services.
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