Sadness or depression? How to tell the difference
Everyone feels low sometimes. But if nothing feels good for more than two weeks, it may be more than sadness.
It is normal to feel sad after losing something dear, doing badly in an exam or having a fight with someone. Sadness is a common emotion. It has a cause, and it passes with time or when something good happens.
Depression is different. It is a treatable mental health condition that affects thoughts, feelings, sleep, appetite and work.
The difference at a glance
| Aspect | Sadness | Depression |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | A few hours or days | At least two weeks in a row, most of the day |
| Cause | Usually a clear cause | There may or may not be a cause |
| Enjoyment | Good things still feel good | No interest or joy even in favourite activities |
| Self-image | Mostly intact | Feeling worthless or guilty |
| Daily life | You can carry on | Study, work and relationships become hard |
Signs of depression
Professionals usually look at whether several of these signs have been present nearly every day for at least two weeks:
- Feeling sad, empty or hopeless most of the time
- Losing interest or pleasure in things you used to enjoy
- Sleeping much less or much more
- Big changes in appetite and weight
- Constant tiredness, lack of energy
- Feeling worthless or guilty for no reason
- Trouble concentrating or making decisions
- Feeling restless, or moving and speaking more slowly
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Matching the list does not mean you have depression. Only a trained mental health professional can make a diagnosis.
Some common myths
- “It happens because of a weak mind.” No. Depression is not weakness or laziness. It comes from a mix of genetic, physical, psychological and social factors.
- “It will go away on its own.” Often it doesn’t. Without treatment, depression can last a long time.
- “Seeing a doctor means you’re crazy.” Just as we see a doctor for physical illness, seeing a professional for mental illness is normal.
How it is treated
Depression gets better with treatment. The two main paths are psychotherapy with a psychologist (such as CBT) and, when needed, medication from a psychiatrist. A professional will decide which is needed.
If someone close to you is depressed
- Listen without judging. Don’t rush to offer solutions.
- Encourage them to get professional help, and go with them if you can.
- Take any talk of suicide seriously. Don’t leave them alone.