SADNESS VS DEPRESSION
You might be mistaking your depression as sadness. Here’s what you need to know to differentiate between the two and to treat them.
From the student who juggles multiple responsibilities and expectations, to the elderly who tries to come to terms with the looming sunset of life, every single individual, at some point or other, has experienced the feeling of despondency, and struggled with a phase where life ceases to make sense anymore. Often we simply label this emotion as being depressed. But is that the correct expression?
Despite being considered almost synonymous, there is a vast difference between the two terms, depression and sadness. A lack of understanding of this distinction can prove to be fatal, as it would significantly influence one’s actions when dealing with a similar situation. Mumbai-based Psychiatrist, Dr Deepti Kukreja shares with us that in her profession, she comes across multiple cases of people who experience severe symptoms of depression but simply disregard them as momentary periods of sadness.
What is sadness?
Sadness is a normal, everyday emotion which is experienced by all of us. An unfortunate event or a failure in life, guilt and regret, low self-esteem or a simple dissatisfaction with the way things are, can result in those terrible pangs of sorrow. Within our stressful lives with numerous challenges, we are bound to feel a little low, which is normal.
What is depression?
Depression though, is an all pervasive sadness and by all means, an ailment that must be properly treated. It is a chronic disease, which is not triggered by a particular event, and affects all domains of a person’s life. It brings many biological changes in a human body, from insomnia or excessive sleeping, fatigue, to loss of appetite, weight and libido. In some cases, it can also be associated with weight gain.
The ailment also affects the cognitive processes of an individual, rendering him/her incapable to look forward to the activities, which once brought pleasure. A depressed person is most likely to develop a negative mindset as the illness kills all motivation to live and lead a happy life. If these symptoms continue consistently for more than 2 weeks, as explained by our expert, then a person is said to be depressed.
What’s the difference?
Dr Kukreja gives the example of a mother, post-pregnancy, to differentiate between the disease and the emotion. While a mother with a new born would undoubtedly be stressed out by the change in her lifestyle and increase in responsibilities, she would still feel the joy of nurturing her child. In contrast, a depressed woman would be incapable to experience the motherly love and joy in the same situation.
How to deal with depression?
Noticing the above warning signs in yourself or encountering them in someone else? Seek medication or motivate the affected to do that. Engage in physical activities, this helps the body in releasing endorphins, that go a long way in improving the health of the person, depressed or not. Even a small routine and maintaining basic hygiene can help considerably.
And if you are just feeling low or sad, then know that this phase is temporary and will pass. Go out to breathe fresh air and treat yourself with what you love. It is alright to feel a little blue sometimes because as the popular movie, Inside Out, beautifully explains, “It is normal to feel down every once in a while. Without the hard times, how would we know when we’re in the good times?”
