Am I Sad or Depressed?

Written By Susan Salazar

Sadness and depression are common emotional experiences/states, usually mistaken and misunderstood. Often times, clients ask me if they are depressed because they feel sad while other times, I see how family members of people going through depression downplay their experience by calling it “just sadness” or “having a hard time”. One of the most significant issues I see with these misconceptions is that because we don’t understand depression, sometimes people don’t get the support they need when they need it. Another issue is that because sadness is often “pathologized” (considered abnormal) then, people learn to repress it to avoid seen as flawed. At the same time, most people associate depression with its primary symptom; sadness, and this is another reason why people tend to mix them up very often.

Maybe we should start by clarifying that sadness is a natural, human emotion, often experienced in response to a loss (relationship, expectation, loved one, etc.) or disappointment. Usually, sadness has a link to a specific trigger, unlike depression. Sadness is also temporary. When we feel sad, we might find relief in venting, crying or talking it out with the right person. In consequence, sadness has a beginning, middle and end, and passes over time. However, sometimes sadness can evolve to depression.

Depression, on the contrary, is not considered a natural emotional experience, and at times it can become a significant mental health concern, depending on its intensity. Depression doesn’t necessarily have a clear trigger associated with it and can build up over time. It affects our emotional states, perceptions, behaviours, ways of thinking, and it is also pervasive (colors our entire life). Depression impacts people’s main areas of life, some or all of them, but it negatively interferes with a person’s functioning. The two main symptoms of depression are: Depressed mood most of the day almost every day and/or anhedonia or inability to feel pleasure in situations that used to be pleasurable for the person. Other expected changes involve a lack of motivation, concentration issues, low self-concept, changes in eating and sleep habits, hopelessness, among others. Also, sometimes, the person might not be sad but instead very angry, irritable and or short-tempered, which is a common manifestation of depression in men. In more severe cases, people can feel so hopeless that they might have suicidal thoughts or intent, which is one of the reasons why depression should never be overlooked.

Depressed people have a more challenging time bouncing back from difficulties and are less good at coping with challenges. One of the most damaging things that we can tell someone who is going through depression is that it is “all in their heads” or that they should “snap out of it” since it is not that easy and, in a way, it reinforces feelings of inadequacy and hopelessness.

If you suspect that you or someone you know might be struggling with depression, seek counselling support from a qualified mental health professional. Depression is a common mental health issue, and there are many ways to treat it with and without medication. If you live in BC, Canada and are in crisis or need of emotional support here are some useful, free and confidential resources for you:

 

Author: 

Susan Salazar is a Registered Clinical Counsellor in Vancouver, BC. who has years of experience providing counselling to adults, children and youth from North and South America. Susan also enjoys writing about topics related to psychotherapy, mental health, social justice, women's wellness, children and parenting. 

Susan Salazar
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