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Signs of Sadness

Many people experience sadness at some point in their lifetime. Knowledge of the signs and symptoms of sadness can bring understanding.

  1. Definition of Sadness

    • According to The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, sadness is when a person is "affected with or marked by unhappiness." Sadness and sorrow are defined as emotional pain that results from a loss, lingering melancholy or habitual somberness.

    Emotional Signs of Sadness

    • Sadness is often a response to loss and grief. Some emotional signs of sadness are part of the process grieving. Someone who is grieving will experience feelings of shock, a need to vent and get the feelings out, panic, loneliness and isolation. Other emotional signs include feelings of anxiety, emptiness or hopelessness, pessimism, guilt and irritability.

    Physical Signs of Sadness

    • Changes in physical activity, sleep and eating habits are all indicators of sadness. Feelings of decreased energy and fatigue are common symptoms. Other physical changes include insomnia, early-morning awakening or oversleeping; weight loss or overeating and weight gain; and restlessness. Sadness can also manifest physically as headaches and digestive disorders.

    Cognitive Signs of Sadness

    • Sadness can affect our thinking, as well as our mood and body. Indications of unhappiness include losing interest in pleasurable activities and hobbies, and difficulty concentrating, remembering and making decisions.

    Sadness vs. Depression

    • Although sadness and depression have many similar symptoms, they are not the same. It is important not to confuse signs of sadness with symptoms of depression. A depressive disorder is an illness that can be diagnosed by certain specific criteria. Like sadness, depression involves the body, mood and thoughts. However, depression differs from sadness in the severity of the symptoms. Sadness may be experienced at different times throughout a day or week and is usually in response to some sort of loss, such as loss of a loved one, a job or respect. Feelings of sadness are an important and functional part of the grieving process. They let us know that we value and mourn what was lost. Symptoms of depression can last for weeks and months and are characterized by either their chronic nature or by their number and intensity. Depression interferes with your ability to function and can be disabling. To meet criteria for a depressive disorder, you must experience multiple symptoms, over time, with a degree of severity.

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