Sadness And Depression: 5 Differences You Should Know About

Talk about psychology has recently become popular, but the way we talk about it is not always correct. We tend to talk about psychology while drawing inappropriate equivalents. One of the most classic examples of this is our difficulty in determining the differences between sadness and depression. Therefore, it has led to confusion about the disease by using the word “depression” in popular vocabulary. It has even led to some contempt.

Using the word depression instead of sadness or vice versa, causes many problems. Some people find it easier to just say they are depressed than to say they are sad. The first word sounds more technically or scientifically correct, while we associate sadness with human weakness.

There are many differences between sadness and depression. The first and most important difference between them is that sadness is temporary. On the other hand, depression is a disease that needs to be treated. It is important to know the differences between the two for this very reason.

Duration: A crucial factor

The duration of psychological phenomena is not something we can measure accurately. Despite this, it is a fact that the duration of the problem may allow a more precise treatment approach. By definition, a feeling has short duration.

One of the biggest differences between sadness and depression is that sadness is a transient, passing emotion. Depression is relatively chronic unless a psychologist corrects the problem. A person must go through sadness for six months on a continuous basis, according to diagnostic criteria, in order for a psychologist to begin to suspect depression in a patient.

2. Abulia: A determining factor

Basically, abulia is difficulty or resistance to acting. When a person is sad, they feel less motivated to perform their daily normal activities. Maybe your social life is reduced, you spend less time at work or on tasks you usually do because of abulia. But you are still relatively active.

A depressed person, on the other hand, is overcome by this discouragement. They completely ignore their obligations and may begin to ignore others’ attempts to help them. They often say that they feel tired and that fatigue ends up reducing the number of activities they do during a day or a week. Thus, in clinical terms, depression presents a very similar picture as for a person with anxiety disorder.

3. Degree of insulation

Another difference between sadness and depression is reflected in the degree of isolation they exhibit. It is normal for a sad person to look for close people to talk about their feelings. It is also normal for them to seek comfort in others, even if they may maintain some degree of social isolation. In this sense, it depends on the person’s personality and coping strategies.

However, a depressed person constantly rejects contact with others. A depressed person keeps his feelings to himself. They do this even when they are not feeling well when they are alone, and they actually prefer to spend time with others. But they do not seek help and are gradually isolated even from their closest friends and family.

4. Function level

One factor that marks a big difference between sadness and depression is the person’s level of functioning. In the case where someone feels sad, their mood only changes their daily habits a little. The person may become less outspoken and more reserved, but basically they perform all the activities they would normally do throughout the day.

On the other hand, when a person suffers from depression, their usual routine often changes. They find it difficult to fulfill their duties at work and at home. They also have difficulty dealing with family, social and emotional obligations. It is quite common to see a depressed person make excuses repeatedly to cover up their lack of commitment or failed implementation. They simply have a hard time adapting to a “normal” routine.

5. Despair

A person can be sad for various reasons. However, the cause is almost always associated with a loss or a difficult situation that they have trouble dealing with. Even if the person is experiencing emotional pain, they are also able to laugh and look forward to the future and make new plans. They may not have the answers, but they feel there is a potential for a brighter, more expectant morning.

In the case of a depressed person, all they have is despair. When they look forward to tomorrow, everything is gloomy. They have no interest, desire or ability to think about their future. How can they look ahead if the present is already too much for them to handle?

As we can see, there are important and significant differences between sadness and depression. Mental health professionals must treat the latter. Depression is not a disorder that just goes away on its own. Therefore, it requires specialized intervention.