Depression has become a term that is commonly flaunted. People use it in casual conversations whenever they want to signal sadness, but are you depressed every time you feel sad? Or do you think it is just run-of-the-mill sadness when in fact, you are depressed?
Depressed or Sad: Does it matter?
Depression is a mental health condition that warrants help from a depression therapist in Dubai or a psychiatrist. Without proper treatment, depression symptoms can persist, and even exacerbate to the point where people think about suicide, with some following suit as well.
Therefore, depression is nothing to make light about. Unlike its casual use in conversations, depression is a serious ailment, while sadness is a mood. Knowing the distinction can help people in getting the right treatment.
What is depression?
Depression is a mental health condition. Its symptoms include:
- People feel sad and low
- Feeling of hopelessness
- Guilt and shame over different matters
- Changes in diet
- Changes in sleep
- Weight loss or gain
- Feeling of worthlessness
- Low energy and fatigue
- Inability to concentrate
- Difficulty making decisions
- Crying, with or without a good reason
- Unexplainable mood swings
- Jaded perspective over life
- Low motivation levels
- Loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed
- Suicide ideation
These symptoms are experienced for over two weeks to be characterized as depression.
What is sadness?
Sadness is an emotion that all humans feel at one time or the other. There are different scenarios that can lead to sadness; it can be real-time events or memories that make you sad.
Much like the rest of the emotions, sadness also tends to pass. As the adage goes, time heals all wounds. Some sad occasions are not because of a tragedy, but due to perspective, which can be improved by changing your outlook. Therefore, unlike depression, there is an element of agency to sadness.
How to know if it is depression or sadness then?
The spectrum of symptoms: To understand if you are depressed or not, take note of your symptoms. Honestly enlist how you feel and any changes with your physical health as well. It then gives you a holistic image of whether you are depressed or simply sad.
Time: The symptoms of depression need to be observed consistently for a certain amount of time. Sometimes, the blues can be attributed to a certain event only like death, divorce, job loss, etc. Therefore, keep track of how your mood pans out over different weeks.
Medication: Some medications can also cause the development of the symptoms of depression. So, keep track of how your body responds to different medications.
Expert opinion: For a final diagnosis, you should only consult an expert, rather than relying on your opinion alone.
Getting help
If you notice the signs of depression, you must consult a mental health expert for treatment. However, even if you are chronically sad but do not have other symptoms of depression, you still need help, especially if your mood fluctuates between extreme sadness and happiness. It may be a sign of a mood disorder. To find an expert, you can visit Fitcy Health, and choose from over 200 professionals who are available at competitive rates.
