What is the difference between feeling sad and depression

Experts say mushrooms contain a number of nutrients, including potassium and B vitamins, that can boost physical as well as mental health. Persistent depressive disorder, formerly known as dysthymia, is a form of chronic depression. Learn about its symptoms, causes, treatment, and more. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect.

Mental Health. Is It Depression or Sadness? Learn the Signs. Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, Ph. Symptoms Risk factors Seek help Diagnosis Treatment Outlook Takeaway Overview Sadness is a human emotion that all people feel at certain times during their lives. Keep reading to learn more about the differences between depression and sadness. Risk factors. When should you seek help? Read this next. Feeling Sad for No Reason? Potential Causes and Coping Tips. Feeling Blue? Types of Depression and How to Recognize Them.

Medically reviewed by Karin Gepp, PsyD. Geriatric Depression Depression in Older Adults. How to Help Someone with Depression Watching a friend live with depression can be painful, but there are ways to help.

What Is Anhedonia? Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. Mental health challenges affect everyone and we all have a responsibility to support one another. To learn an action plan for helping someone with depression or another mental health or substance use problem, find a Mental Health First Aid course near you and get trained. First Name. Last Name. Are you trained in Mental Health First Aid?

Yes No. You feel constantly exhausted and at a loss of motivation. Persisting sadness is only one part of depression! It is likely that some of your thoughts, behaviors, and even physical experiences have changed alongside with your emotions, causing general distress and a fundamental change in your perception and attitude towards life.

Emotions are momentary conscious experiences. They fade with time. If an emotion continues during a phase in life, it does so in lapses. Thus, it can last for a few hours before decreasing, at least a little. Even during a sad period, there are moments in your day where you feel ok. You are able to laugh, enjoy your favorite song, or the presence of a friend. Depression lasts longer however, without proper attention: It persists for most of your day for at least two weeks, to be exact.

All the symptoms you are having appear to be constant, although they might be worse during the morning. Nonetheless, depression defines your entire day. It seems unthinkable that you will ever feel better again. Sadness usually is a reaction to something, for instance a painful event. Your sadness is caused by this particular experience and it is a normal and healthy, nonetheless often unpleasant, emotion. But Depression often occurs without any apparent reason.

Maybe your life seems like it should be fine. They are present within nearly every situation. Your concentration might be lower. You have a negative view on the future, you possibly feel unreasonably guilty or suffer from a helpless feeling of being out of control. If depression begins after a specific event, it was probably the trigger rather than its sole cause. In this case, your behavior and reaction are out of proportion with the event and it is harmful to you.

Get our printable guide to help you ask the right questions at your next doctor's appointment. Your doctor will use a number of techniques to determine if what you are feeling is normal sadness or depression. This often involves asking questions or having you complete a questionnaire about what type of symptoms you are experiencing, how long you have been feeling them, and how severe they are.

Your doctor will also want to know more about your life and the impact these symptoms have had on your ability to function at home, work, and school. Your doctor may also perform a physical exam and conduct lab tests to rule out medical conditions or that might be contributing to your symptoms. Remember to tell your doctor about any medications or supplements that you are taking since certain medications, such as beta-blockers and corticosteroids, may also cause feelings of depression.

There are a number of factors that can play a role in causing depression. Some of the risk factors for depression include:. Depression is usually treated using medications called antidepressants or through talk therapy. Usually, the best treatment plans include both. Some popular medication choices for depression include:.

Your doctor will discuss with you which option is best for you. Cognitive therapy is a popular type of psychotherapy for depression. This is helpful because our thoughts and what we say to ourselves impacts our mood and motivation.

If we frequently say negative things, we're creating a mental environment relevant to depression. Positive thinking, on the other hand, triggers positive emotions. And while controlling all aspects of depression isn't possible, this is one aspect we do have some power over. Your doctor may also recommend lifestyle changes that you can make that may help you cope with your symptoms.

Doing things like getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, getting adequate sleep, and staying connected with loved ones can help you manage your condition. Here are some ways to experience normal sadness in a healthy way and to allow this emotion to enrich your life:. Finding ways to overcome sadness or depression can get you back to feeling like your normal self. While normal sadness is usually temporary and can often be relieved with lifestyle adjustments, you should talk to your doctor if your symptoms last longer than two weeks.

If what you are feeling is depression, there are effective treatments available, including medication and psychotherapy, that can help.