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Clinical Depression Vs. Sadness

"Sadness" and "depression" are terms commonly used interchangeably, but they are different things. Sadness refers to the emotion of feeling sad or emotionally hurt. Depression is a condition that has similarities to sadness, but occurs because of various things such as chemical imbalances in the brain. So what is the difference, and why is there a difference? Knowing the differences between these two conditions can help you to determine the proper course of treatment for someone. A person who is simply sad might just need a little cheering up: a trip to the beach or a small token of appreciation. A person who is clinically depressed ought to see a medical professional; simply trying to cheer the person up will not work.

  1. Clinical Depression

    • Clinical depression is a medical illness. It affects the mind and the body. People who are clinically depressed do not function as they once did. They lose interest in the things that they once loved, and they often feel lost and hopeless. Further, the illness tends to last for extended periods of time, typically for two weeks or more (not just a day or two), and often returns unless treatment is sought.

      Symptoms of this condition include sleeping more or less than usual and not wanting to see your friends or family. Also, things you used to love doing, like running or playing tennis, seem to be a chore and seem painful to even think about. These symptoms differ from the emotion of sadness.

    Sadness

    • Sadness is the natural reaction to pain or loss in one's life. When a family member or a close friend dies, we feel sadness. When we fail at something, we feel sadness. Sadness is the way we cope with difficult or stressful times in our lives. Too much sadness may lead to depression, but sadness and clinical depression are two different concepts.

      Sadness does not linger as depression does. A person who lost someone close to them may feel extremely sad, and the feeling may last a day or even a week. But eventually the person starts to feel better again. Depression, on the other hand, will not ease as readily after a short period of time. In other words, depression lasts longer and returns; time will not heal depression.

    Distinguishing Clinical Depression from Sadness

    • While the emotions may seem similar in terms of feeling, here are some things to look for in a person to determine whether they are simply sad or whether the problem is more complex. First, ask whether anything significant has happened to the person. Did someone pass away recently? Did the person fail a test? If this is true, you can monitor the person for the next few days and see if the person starts feeling cheerful again. On the other hand, if this feeling has come out of the blue or if the person is crying for no reason, the person may be depressed. Another symptom that appears more in depressed people than in sad people is having thoughts of death or suicide. A person having serious thoughts about committing suicide is not likely to be simply sad; more complex emotions are going on.

    Treatment for Sadness

    • There really is no set "cure" for sadness or depression; they arise out of stressful circumstances and largely involve a person's battle with their inside emotions. Sadness appears easier to cope with, since it usually goes away after a short time and can be lessened by going out and getting your mind off of whatever has made you sad. For example, suppose you have just broken up with a significant other or you have just lost your job. You will probably be feeling sad about these things. However, after you've let the emotion set in and you've dealt with it as best as you can, going to see a movie or taking a walk on the beach might be a great way to get over feeling sad. Even something as simple as a hug or a small gift from a friend or family member can help you get over sadness.

    Treatment for Depression

    • Treatment for clinical depression, on the other hand, may take more complex methods. Some things the person can do themselves, such as getting on a better diet and sticking to a better sleep schedule. This might not be enough. Professional help is available and should be sought if the depression is particularly severe (such as the person thinking about suicide) or if the depression has lasted a long time (over a week or more). Medical professionals can help the person deal with this illness. Drug treatment (antidepressants) are available, but they might not be right for every person.

      In the end, this will be more a question of severity and longevity that will dictate what course of treatment to use. Having hope is always an option. Keep the person surrounded by people who love them and work patiently with them to help them recover.

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