Depression and Sadness:
How do I know the difference?
We all feel sad or "blue"
on occasion, even heartbroken at one time or another. Most people
experience upsetting life experiences such as a major illness,
loss of a job, a death in the family, or a divorce, and these
feelings of grief normally dissipate and disappear in time.
Depression, however, occurs when feelings of extreme sadness
or despair last for a longer period of time and when they interfere
with activities of daily living such as working or even eating
and sleeping. Depressed individuals tend to feel helpless and
hopeless and to blame themselves for having these feelings.
Some may even have thoughts of death or suicide. People who
are depressed usually become overwhelmed and exhausted and stop
participating in certain everyday activities altogether, even
activities that they normally enjoy. They often withdraw from
family and friends and push those they love away from themselves.
