The Key Difference Between Depression and Sadness  

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The Key Difference Between Depression and Sadness  

Some people experience a sense of sadness during the winter months due to a decreased amount of sunlight. Add in the holidays, and an individual can become more than sad, they can become depressed. No matter what time of year it is, people experience sadness due to situations, however, depression is something that has no season and can come from a situation or a chemical imbalance.   

Here are some of the major differences between sadness and depression:   

Sadness  

Everyone will get sad now and then. Most of the time it is situational. This means a situation makes them sad. It could be as simple as having a bad day at work or school, to more serious issues like a pet or relative passing away. The sadness from a situation typically doesn’t last long.  

You may feel like you are coming down with a cold or the flu, or a simple stomachache as a physical sign of sadness. You may lose interest in doing things you typically enjoy doing like reading, watching television, or crafts. You may also not want to spend time with friends and family and would rather isolate. You may even feel like you don’t want to eat or do much of anything. This is normal and should last no longer than two weeks.  

You might think of this sadness as a morning period for the situation or what you have just gone through. Missing something or someone is normal, and a certain amount of sadness is also common.  

Seasonal Sadness  

Those who live in an area of the world where the sunlight is limited during the long winter months are prone to experience seasonal sadness or SAD (seasonal affective disorder). There is medication and light therapy to help those individuals who can’t function as well during this time. Seasonal sadness is much more than typical sadness as it lasts longer and is more intense. However, it is not categorized as a depression because it does not last and is predictable with seasonal changes.  

Depression  

Suffering from depression is different from sadness. Depression is something that won’t go away in two weeks or when your situation changes for the better. Some of the significant differences from sadness is that depression is a feeling of hopelessness and despair. It is deeper than a sense of sadness, and you can’t seem to pull yourself out of dark thoughts.  

Some people with depression experience a long list of physical symptoms as well. They range from insomnia to eating too much or too little, lack of interest in activities, spending time with people, and personal hygiene. You don’t want to do anything because life is overwhelming.  

Another issue with depression is the feeling that your life is not worth living. Many depressed individuals consider suicide as their only option. If you think this way, it is time to call someone. You should get help before these thoughts take over. A therapist and a psychiatrist are going to be the best options for treating depression. Medications combined with talk therapy can help to bring a person back to the way they were before the depression took hold. It is a lot of work, but your life is worth it.