{"id":18488,"date":"2017-08-22T11:00:07","date_gmt":"2017-08-22T10:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/?p=18488"},"modified":"2022-11-29T12:00:00","modified_gmt":"2022-11-29T12:00:00","slug":"depression-vs-sadness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/depression-vs-sadness.htm","title":{"rendered":"Depression vs Sadness — When Should You Be Worried?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"depression

By: William Ross<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Understanding the difference with depression<\/a> vs sadness is actually very important.<\/p>\n

It means you don\u2019t neglect a serious mental condition because you think it is <\/strong>\u2018just a bad mood\u2019. It also means, if you really are just sad, you don\u2019t panic<\/a>.<\/p>\n

So what is the difference between depression and sadness, and when is someone depressed enough it\u2019s time to seek help?<\/em><\/p>\n

[Worried you really are depressed? Take our free “stressed, depressed, or both” test <\/a>now.]<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

What is sadness?<\/h3>\n

Sadness is an emotion that is actually a normal, necessary and healthy response to certain parts of life.<\/em> <\/strong>We can\u2019t avoid feeling sad now and then. And if we did not sometimes feel sad, how would we know what joy is in comparison?<\/p>\n

Sadness helps us determine what matters to us<\/a>, what we like and don\u2019t like. And it helps us process difficult experiences<\/a> like loss and failure<\/a>.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

If we allow ourselves to fully experience sadness, instead of ignoring it or fighting it off?<\/strong> And let it move through us, rather than getting stuck in it and feeling a victim<\/a>? Sadness can even feel rather invigorating, like a good rainstorm coming through.<\/p>\n

When we feel sad, we tend to know why. <\/strong>It will be a certain, identifiable experience or series of experiences that are behind the emotion.<\/strong><\/p>\n

And although sadness might stick around for several days or weeks, <\/strong>depending on its trigger, it will eventually leave.<\/p>\n

Sadness can also come and go<\/strong>, such as when we are in mourning<\/a> and we have sad days interspersed with feeling okay.<\/p>\n

What is depression?<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"depression<\/a>

By: Lady Orlando<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Depression<\/a> is a state of being that is far from a healthy part of life. <\/strong><\/p>\n

It’s considered a \u2018maladapative\u2019 behaviour because it is an ineffective way to cope. It stops us from adjusting to life, or even makes our days worse.<\/p>\n

Depression can involve sadness, but is often less energising than even feeling sad or feeling anything at all<\/em>.<\/strong> Many suffers speak about feeling feeling numb. Depression also tends to come with physical symptoms, such as fatigue<\/a>, brain fog<\/a>, and a change in appetite.<\/p>\n

When we feel depressed we can sometimes have no idea why. It can be as if depression crept up on us, or we suddenly fell into a hole.<\/strong> Or it can feel illogic, with a small thing happening and we feel as if it’s the end of the world.<\/p>\n

Depression tends to be pretty consistent. We just feel down all the time<\/strong>, no matter how much we\u2019d like a break, and it goes on for six weeks, several months, or even for years.<\/p>\n

[For more on depression, read our free and comprehensive Guide to Depression.<\/a>]<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Depression vs sadness<\/h3>\n

Sadness is an emotion vs<\/strong> depression is a state of being<\/em><\/p>\n

Sadness comes and goes vs<\/strong> depression is a consistent and chronic feeling<\/em><\/p>\n

Sadness is just emotional vs<\/strong> depression is also physical and mental <\/em><\/p>\n

Sadness has a concrete cause vs<\/strong> depression can feel illogical<\/em><\/p>\n

Sadness lasts for days or a few weeks vs<\/strong> depression lasts weeks, months, or even years if not treated<\/em><\/p>\n

Sadness can involve unhappy thoughts vs<\/strong> depression tends to involve really negative, dramatic, or doomsday-like thoughts<\/em><\/p>\n

Sadness feels hard but manageable vs<\/strong> depression can leave you feeling entirely helpless<\/em><\/p>\n

Sadness can leave you a bit tired vs<\/strong> depression can leave you unable to leave the house<\/em><\/p>\n

We know why we are sad vs<\/strong> we can have no exact idea why we feel depressed.<\/em><\/p>\n

How are sadness and depression related?<\/h3>\n
\"Depression<\/a>

By: alexisnyal<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Sadness is not honoured in our society.<\/p>\n

There is an overemphasis on being happy and \u2018positive\u2019, made worse by social media <\/a>and the competition it creates for the perfect-looking life. This kind of obsessive ‘pursuit of happiness<\/a>‘ is actually a very unhealthy approach to life.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Emotions exist to be felt. And sadness has gifts for us.<\/strong> Again, it helps identify what we value and what we need in life.<\/p>\n

If we repress sadness<\/a>, we tend to also repress other emotions, including joy.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Over time, if sadness is always avoided and repressed, then it can build up and contribute to a case of<\/strong> depression.<\/strong> True, it might be a blend of things that cause your depression, such as a difficult upbringing<\/a>, many challenging events in a row<\/a>, or even a genetic disposition towards depression. But sadness can definitely be a trigger.<\/p>\n

Not sure if you are or aren’t hiding your sadness? Look at your life to see if you might be using<\/strong> coping strategies to avoid your emotions. This might be drinking a bit too much<\/a>, overeating<\/a>, overworking<\/a>, going out all the time and avoiding ever being alone, or alternately avoiding social situations<\/a> that are intimate enough you’d have to let your emotions out.<\/p>\n

So when is my sadness or depression a problem?<\/h3>\n

The main signs to look for when it comes to sadness morphing into depression include:<\/p>\n