Not sure how to tell the difference? Fret not! Here are 5 reasons why feeling sad isn’t the same as being depressed.

SHORT-TERM VS. LONG-TERM

When you’re sad, what you’re experiencing is an emotion. By nature, emotions come and go. They ebb, flow, grow, and fade with time in turn. Even sadness that is more stretched outcomes in lapses. Depression, on the other hand, is long-term. It must last for at least 2 weeks and, for many people, it may never really go away.

RELUCTANCE VS. INABILITY

Sadness can make you reluctant to do a lot of things. But it doesn’t remove your ability to do them at all. With depression, you may find that you can’t do anything at all, no matter how much you know you should – and even no matter how much you genuinely want to.

CHEERING UP VS. INABILITY TO ENJOY THINGS

When you’re sad, even if you don’t feel much like doing what you usually like, you can typically find ways to cheer yourself up. Sure, it takes some coaxing, and you might not opt for your usual favorite things, but there’s sure to be something that perks you up again. It might be a good book, a favorite show, some good music, or even a pet. While with depression, you can’t find enjoyment in anything no matter what.

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SPECIFIC EVENTS VS. GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Specific events or circumstances typically trigger sadness. Yes, sometimes you may not be sure why you are sad, but there are easily defined causes for sadness for the most part. But what about depression? Well, studies certainly have indicated specific events can still trigger depression. However, the difference is that depressed individuals typically are more susceptible to negative events like this, thus leading to a deeper experience of depression. The triggering of depression from specific events can also lead to prolonged, disproportionate depressive episodes or long-term depression.

FEELING SAD VS. MENTAL ILLNESS

Feeling sad is a common emotion experienced by many people in the event of negative circumstances. Everyone experiences sadness and even periods of sadness following difficult events, disappointments, and other similar issues. Although it feels negative, sadness is a productive feeling. It’s part of what makes you a human being, and it helps you work through and process different events and circumstances. In moderation and when necessary, the feeling is not just natural but also necessary. Conversely, depression isn’t just an emotion – it’s a mental health problem. Even without a diagnosed depressive or mood disorder, depression is a medical term referring to unusual and disruptive levels of negative mood.

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