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Mental Health HomepageConditions LibraryConditions CategoryConditions CategoryAm I Depressed or Sad?
Table of Contents:OverviewWhat is the Difference Between Depression & Sadness?How to Know if it’s Sadness or DepressionHow to Cope With Sadness or DepressionWhen to Seek Help
DepressionRead Time: 8 Minutes
Published On: March 28, 2022
Reviewed On: March 28, 2022
Updated On: October 31, 2023
OverviewUpdated on 3/28/2022Sadness is a natural emotion. Despite what some people may think or assume, it’s actually normal, and even healthy, to experience sad feelings periodically. Sadness is also a common symptom of depression. Most people who are depressed will experience extreme sadness. However, just because you feel sad, doesn’t necessarily mean you’re depressed. The truth is, you can be sad without being depressed.Whether you’re just sad or you truly have clinical depression, there are methods you can use to improve your mental well-being. If you’re wondering:am I depressed or sad,the first step is to know the signs and learn how to get diagnosed with depression. Then, you can use strategies like talk therapy, various self-help techniques, or think about medications that can help you manage your depression.Keep reading to explore the key differences betweendepressionand sadness. We’re giving helpful advice about dealing with both.
Overview
Updated on 3/28/2022
Sadness is a natural emotion. Despite what some people may think or assume, it’s actually normal, and even healthy, to experience sad feelings periodically. Sadness is also a common symptom of depression. Most people who are depressed will experience extreme sadness. However, just because you feel sad, doesn’t necessarily mean you’re depressed. The truth is, you can be sad without being depressed.
Whether you’re just sad or you truly have clinical depression, there are methods you can use to improve your mental well-being. If you’re wondering:am I depressed or sad,the first step is to know the signs and learn how to get diagnosed with depression. Then, you can use strategies like talk therapy, various self-help techniques, or think about medications that can help you manage your depression.
Keep reading to explore the key differences betweendepressionand sadness. We’re giving helpful advice about dealing with both.
What is the Difference Between Depression & Sadness?Depressionis a recognized and diagnosable mental health condition that affectsmore than 16million adults in the United States. Since sadness is one of the most prominent symptoms of depression, the two can be confused. However, sadness is a temporary condition whereas depression can last for months or even years if left untreated.Having a low mood can affect your entire life, but it can be challenging to determine whether what you’re feeling is depression or if you’re simply feeling a bit sad. What’s the difference between depression vs sadness? Let’s look at each in-depth to gain a better understanding.What is sadness?According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA),sadnessis best described as an emotional state of unhappiness. It’s a natural emotion that can range in severity and intensity, from generally mild to very extreme. Sad feelings most often stem from loss, typically of something you consider to be high value. Sadness due to loss could be the result of a relationship ending, a loved one dying, or any other major life change. The biggest thing to note about sadness in comparison to depression is that sadness is a temporary emotion that will pass.What is depression?By contrast, theAPAdefinesdepressionas a negative state that can range from a sense of discontent or unhappiness to an intense feeling of despondency, pessimism, and sadness that’s so extreme it interferes with your ability to function daily. A major and noteworthy defining aspect of severe depression is that, when not effectively treated and managed, it’s a long-term mental health condition.There are also several differenttypes of depression, including persistent depressive disorder,seasonal affective disorder, gestational depression, andmajor depressive disorder.
What is the Difference Between Depression & Sadness?
Depressionis a recognized and diagnosable mental health condition that affectsmore than 16million adults in the United States. Since sadness is one of the most prominent symptoms of depression, the two can be confused. However, sadness is a temporary condition whereas depression can last for months or even years if left untreated.
Having a low mood can affect your entire life, but it can be challenging to determine whether what you’re feeling is depression or if you’re simply feeling a bit sad. What’s the difference between depression vs sadness? Let’s look at each in-depth to gain a better understanding.
What is sadness?
According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA),sadnessis best described as an emotional state of unhappiness. It’s a natural emotion that can range in severity and intensity, from generally mild to very extreme. Sad feelings most often stem from loss, typically of something you consider to be high value. Sadness due to loss could be the result of a relationship ending, a loved one dying, or any other major life change. The biggest thing to note about sadness in comparison to depression is that sadness is a temporary emotion that will pass.
What is depression?
By contrast, theAPAdefinesdepressionas a negative state that can range from a sense of discontent or unhappiness to an intense feeling of despondency, pessimism, and sadness that’s so extreme it interferes with your ability to function daily. A major and noteworthy defining aspect of severe depression is that, when not effectively treated and managed, it’s a long-term mental health condition.
There are also several differenttypes of depression, including persistent depressive disorder,seasonal affective disorder, gestational depression, andmajor depressive disorder.
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Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Supervisor (LCSW-S), CIMHP, EMDRCynthia Catchings
Distinguishing the two
Sadnessis typically associated with specific triggers like losing a loved one, moving, or ending a relationship.Depression, on the other hand, often has no identifiable cause. Most people who are depressed experience sadness as one of their symptoms, but they don’t have to be depressed to feel blue.
Remember that when looking at depression vs sadness, feeling sad is a normal, natural emotion that we all have at one time or another. Though it’s not much fun while we’re going through it, it’s something everyone experiences as they deal with the ups and downs of life. Handling drama, grief, and loss, in general, will often spark feelings of sadness, but we eventually find a way to move forward as we heal and work towards a brighter plan. In general, sadness can be good.
How to Know if it’s Sadness or DepressionDepression and sadness can have overlapping symptoms. This is in part what can make it incredibly difficult to differentiate between the two. Looking at their symptoms separately might make it a bit easier.
How to Know if it’s Sadness or Depression
Depression and sadness can have overlapping symptoms. This is in part what can make it incredibly difficult to differentiate between the two. Looking at their symptoms separately might make it a bit easier.
Symptoms of sadnessCryingOvereating or undereatingSleeping or feeling tiredIncreasing use of alcohol or illicit drugsFeeling unmotivated to do anythingSymptoms of depressionSadness is a common symptom of depression, but it’s definitely not the only one. Depression can affect you physiologically, psychologically, and physically.Depression symptomscan include:Feeling sad all the time orfeeling overwhelmedBeing irritableCrying uncontrollablyLack of energyInability to focusNot caring about appearance or self-careChange in appetiteMoving or talking slowlyChanged sleeping habitsFeeling guilty or worthlessFeeling “empty”Having a hopeless outlookJitteriness or difficulty being stillLosing interest in things previously enjoyedPeople with depression may also experience pain of unknown origin, headaches, and digestive problems like upset stomach and nausea. Sometimes, untreated depression leads to suicidal thoughts or self-harm. Depression can last a long time and rarely resolves on its own.
Symptoms of sadness
Symptoms of depression
Sadness is a common symptom of depression, but it’s definitely not the only one. Depression can affect you physiologically, psychologically, and physically.Depression symptomscan include:
People with depression may also experience pain of unknown origin, headaches, and digestive problems like upset stomach and nausea. Sometimes, untreated depression leads to suicidal thoughts or self-harm. Depression can last a long time and rarely resolves on its own.
How to Cope With Sadness or DepressionDepression is very treatable — in fact,up to 90%of people find treatment effective. If you have depressive symptoms and are wondering how to treat depression and feel better, several treatment options are available.Two main approaches that are helpful for most people are psychotherapy and medication. There are also a number of self-help techniques you can try to manage your mood or depression.TherapyPsychotherapy, ortalk therapy, allows you to sit down in a safe atmosphere and speak with a healthcare professional (therapist) who understands the differences between sadness and depression. Your therapist can help you understand what’s triggering your feelings, so together you can work to develop effective coping mechanisms to alleviate your symptoms.MedicationIf you’re diagnosed with depression, your doctor or psychiatrist may prescribe medication at the beginning of your treatment. Somedepression medication, like antidepressants, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), might help you, but keep in mind that medication may be a short-term solution and often works best when combined with therapy.Self-careThere are also variousself-carestrategies you can use to lessen the frequency and severity of your sadness and other depression symptoms. Some things you can try at home include:Making personal well-being and self-care a priorityGetting out of the houseSocializingJournalingMeditatingExercising daily (most effective if you can break a sweat, but even just going for a walk is beneficial)Being mindful of your diet — eating mostly single- or minimal-ingredient, water-rich foodsTelling yourself it’s okay to feel sad and that your feelings are legitimateBeing cognizant of your emotions and tracking how they’re affecting your lifeStarting any form of treatment is important in treating depression. Either in-person, in a group setting, oronline therapycan help you develop the skills you need to recognize or anticipate your emotions and address them as they develop in real-time. This way, you can proactively intervene and remain in control.
How to Cope With Sadness or Depression
Depression is very treatable — in fact,up to 90%of people find treatment effective. If you have depressive symptoms and are wondering how to treat depression and feel better, several treatment options are available.
Two main approaches that are helpful for most people are psychotherapy and medication. There are also a number of self-help techniques you can try to manage your mood or depression.
Therapy
Psychotherapy, ortalk therapy, allows you to sit down in a safe atmosphere and speak with a healthcare professional (therapist) who understands the differences between sadness and depression. Your therapist can help you understand what’s triggering your feelings, so together you can work to develop effective coping mechanisms to alleviate your symptoms.
Medication
If you’re diagnosed with depression, your doctor or psychiatrist may prescribe medication at the beginning of your treatment. Somedepression medication, like antidepressants, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), might help you, but keep in mind that medication may be a short-term solution and often works best when combined with therapy.
Self-care
There are also variousself-carestrategies you can use to lessen the frequency and severity of your sadness and other depression symptoms. Some things you can try at home include:
Starting any form of treatment is important in treating depression. Either in-person, in a group setting, oronline therapycan help you develop the skills you need to recognize or anticipate your emotions and address them as they develop in real-time. This way, you can proactively intervene and remain in control.
When to Seek HelpIf you’ve been wondering:Am I depressed or sad? It might be time to get help.
When to Seek Help
If you’ve been wondering:Am I depressed or sad? It might be time to get help.
If your feelings of sadness persist to the point where they begin interfering with daily life activities, it could indicate the development of depression.To ensure that you’re getting the treatment you need, it can be very helpful to have an unbiased, open conversation with a healthcare professional. This can help determine any underlying conditions that might be triggering your symptoms of sadness or depression. It can also ensure you’ll be directed to the right type of mental health professional for further evaluation if needed.Whether or not you’re diagnosed with depression, or if you’re just sad, it’s good to know that you’re not in the fight alone. Talking to a therapist or joining a support group can help teach you new ways to cope with your feelings.
If your feelings of sadness persist to the point where they begin interfering with daily life activities, it could indicate the development of depression.
To ensure that you’re getting the treatment you need, it can be very helpful to have an unbiased, open conversation with a healthcare professional. This can help determine any underlying conditions that might be triggering your symptoms of sadness or depression. It can also ensure you’ll be directed to the right type of mental health professional for further evaluation if needed.
Whether or not you’re diagnosed with depression, or if you’re just sad, it’s good to know that you’re not in the fight alone. Talking to a therapist or joining a support group can help teach you new ways to cope with your feelings.
Talkspace is an online therapy platform that makes finding the therapy and help you need easier than ever. Our approach to therapy is convenient, affordable, and best of all, effective. Getting therapy from the convenience of your own home has never been simpler. You don’t have to live with sadness or depression any longer. Take that first step toward healing today.
See ReferencesSadnessAPA Dictionary of Psychology. Dictionary.apa.org. Accessed February 21, 2022.DepressionAPA Dictionary of Psychology. Dictionary.apa.org. Accessed February 21, 2022.What Is Depression?Torres, M.D., MBA, DFAPA F. Psychiatry.org. Published 2020. Accessed February 21, 2022.Major DepressionNational Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Published 2022. Accessed February 21, 2022.
See References
APA Dictionary of Psychology. Dictionary.apa.org. Accessed February 21, 2022.
Torres, M.D., MBA, DFAPA F. Psychiatry.org. Published 2020. Accessed February 21, 2022.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Published 2022. Accessed February 21, 2022.
Cynthia CatchingsCynthia Catchings is a trilingual licensed clinical social worker-supervisor, mental health consultant, professor, and trainer for federal law enforcement agencies. Cynthia has over 15 years of experience in the mental health profession. She is passionate about women’s mental health, life transitions, and stress management. Her clinical work, advocacy, and volunteer service have focused on working with domestic violence survivors and conducting mental health research in over 30 countries.
Cynthia Catchings is a trilingual licensed clinical social worker-supervisor, mental health consultant, professor, and trainer for federal law enforcement agencies. Cynthia has over 15 years of experience in the mental health profession. She is passionate about women’s mental health, life transitions, and stress management. Her clinical work, advocacy, and volunteer service have focused on working with domestic violence survivors and conducting mental health research in over 30 countries.
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