There are days when you feel sad, lonely, and upset; days that make you feel unhappy. It is completely normal to be emotional when things don’t go your way. But if these feelings stay for a long time, they can lead to clinical depression. But how can you tell the difference? We are here to help you. Read this article to learn the difference between sadness and depression. Log on to www.doralhw.org for a consultation.
WHAT IS SADNESS?
Sadness is an emotion that you feel (when you lose something, are angry, upset, or disappointed) when things don’t go your way.
Sadness is just like any other emotion, fading away with time.
WHAT IS DEPRESSION?
Depression is a mental state where your mind feels constant sadness and loss of interest in things you used to enjoy. It is a mental illness. And if left untreated, it can lead to self-harming behaviors (like suicidal thoughts or attempts). Symptoms of depression include:
- Constant feelings of sadness and despair
- Irritability, anger, and aggression issues
- Constant fatigue
- Changes in your sleep and eating patterns
- Difficulty in concentrating
- Loss of interest in things, places, and people (which used to provide pleasure and joy)
- Physical symptoms (such as headaches or body aches)
- Feelings of unwantedness or worthlessness
- Suicidal thoughts or actions
SADNESS vs. DEPRESSION
- Sadness is an emotion that fades away with time, while depression is a disease that stays with you and needs treatment.
- Sadness can put a pause on your happiness for a bit. But depression feels like a stop sign-you are unable to do things you very much enjoyed and looked forward to. Living with depression makes it hard for you to even perform your daily routine.
- Sadness usually doesn’t last long. Anything that affects your mental state for longer than 2 weeks should be a cause for worry.
- Depression comes with thoughts of self-harm and suicide, while sadness is mostly about an emotional reaction to things, people, and circumstances.
What is the DSM-5 Criteria?
The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) is a standard testing criterion to help diagnose depression.
There are 9 symptoms to identify:
- Are you in a depressed mood (most of the time in the day or every day)?
- Have you lost interest in the activities or tasks that you enjoyed?
- Do you have trouble sleeping (either you sleep very little or sleep too much)?
- Is there a change in your eating habits (either you eat too much so that you gain weight or eat too little so that you lose weight)?
- Do you feel irritated, restless, or agitated throughout the day?
- Do you feel extremely tired/ fatigued all day?
- Do you feel guilty (about things), undeserving, or unworthy in life?
- Have you lost the ability to focus or make decisions?
- Do you have suicidal thoughts, or have you tried self-harm?
If your answers to any of the questions are a ‘YES,’ you might need professional help.
Do not suffer in silence; call us for a consultation.
When to call your doctor/ therapist?
- If you are not able to overcome your sadness, even after 2 or more weeks, you should consider paying a visit to a doctor or therapist.
- If you have lost interest in your favorite activities, have difficulty getting out of your bed, or even do the smallest thing that proves tedious, it’s time to talk to your therapist.
- If you find yourself having suicidal thoughts, call emergency services immediately.
There are counseling services and support groups for people who feel sad or depressed about being alone or some issues they have in their lives. You can also give them a call.
What can I do?
Here are some tips you can follow to ‘beat the blues’:
- Make a routine and stick with it! It helps you to manage your time, reduces stress, and provides time for self-care.
- Make room for exercise or meditation in your routine. It will help to uplift your mood and improve your health, too!
- Don’t be a stranger! Talk to a friend, family or a loved one if something is bothering you.
- Eat a healthy, nutritious diet.
- Try to do things that you like or try something new! It keeps you busy and improves your mental health.
Depression can be tough to fight, but don’t worry, you can overcome this and take control of your life again!!!
We are here to help you on your road to recovery! Call us on + 1-718-367-2555 to get a consultation. If you need help learning coping methods, register your information and make direct contact with our doctors at https://yuz88hfiyh7.typeform.com/Doralintake. Log on to www.doralhw.org. Or visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212.
