Sadness and depression are emotional states that may seem similar but have important differences.
The difference between sadness and depression can be understood as follows:
Sadness:
Sadness is a normal and universal emotion we all experience in response to situations we find disappointing, frustrating, or painful.
For example, the loss of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or the failure of an important goal are situations that can trigger feelings of sadness. In general, these feelings diminish over time and subside when something positive happens.
Depression:
Depression, on the other hand, is a clinical diagnosis that can have multiple factors and types and goes beyond sadness or “down”.
It is characterized by feelings of sadness or despair lasting at least two weeks that significantly interfere with the person's daily activities.
In addition, depression is associated with various physical and psychological symptoms, which may include loss of interest or pleasure in activities one once enjoyed, changes in appetite or weight, difficulty concentrating, excessive feelings of worthlessness or guilt, etc. can sometimes include thoughts of death or suicide.
In summary, the key difference between sadness and depression is the duration and intensity of the symptoms and the extent to which those feelings affect the ability to function in everyday life.
If you think you are depressed, getting psychological counseling from a psychologist is important.