- [Narrator] Hey, Psych2Goers.
When exactly does sadness become depression?
Because these two words are often used interchangeably,
some people get confused
about their distinction.
Saying you're depressed is different
from saying you have depression,
because the latter is referring
to a mental illness, not an emotion.
When you're feeling down
or have been feeling down for a long time,
you might wonder which one you're experiencing.
Depression is usually more severe in terms
of its duration and the extent of how it affects your life,
whereas sadness is normal
and may take less time to recover from.
With that said,
there are some differences
between normal sadness and clinical depression,
and we're going to talk about seven of them now.
Number one, you're still able to enjoy the simple things.
Do you still find yourself laughing
while watching your favorite show?
If you still have the energy to enjoy your hobbies,
you're most likely going through normal's sadness,
not clinical depression.
People diagnosed with depression often find themselves
with an overwhelming feeling of liturgy,
and may have no interest
in doing things that once brought them happiness.
This numbness can extend for long periods,
which is different from normal sadness.
Number two,
you have enough energy to complete your daily tasks.
Are you still eating all of your meals?
Do you have any difficulty sleeping?
Depression often comes
with an inability to complete regular activities
because you lack the energy
and don't see the purpose while you're unhappy.
Even simple things like going
to the bathroom can seem tiring to you.
Depressed people often stay in their beds,
losing track of time with a feeling of numbness.
A sad person may be more silent and inactive than usual,
but once the needs arise, they eat,
use the bathroom and take care of themselves.
Number three, you still talk to your friends and loved ones.
Do you open up to your friends or rant or cry
about what's been going on?
People with depression may be unable to perform these acts,
as depression can stem from nothing at all.
A person may live a completely normal life
and suddenly find themselves experiencing sudden feelings
of numbness and hopelessness.
Because of that, some people choose not to open up at all,
which may prevent them from reaching out for help
because they may feel that they're not worth the effort.
This is different from normal sadness
because you still welcome your relationships.
When you're sad, you may wanna take a break
and isolate yourself for a little while,
but eventually, you usually get back to socializing.
Number four, your self-esteem is not permanently affected.
It's normal for sad people to have negative feelings
about themselves and the things that are troubling them.
Emotions such as remorse, regret and hopelessness
are common when you've experienced an unfortunate event,
but they tend to fade over time,
especially when you know the root
of the problem and are working on it.
This differs from depressed people
who are caught in a continuous loop of negativity
which can extend to thoughts and acts of self harm
or even suicide.
Being able to recover from a bad experience
is a good indicator of your mental health.
If you know someone who harbors
continuous negative thoughts, you can help them
by letting them know that you're available to help.
They may not wanna talk just us yet,
but your presence is just as important.
Number five, you're experiencing burnout.
Do you find that being
with your friends no longer makes you happy as it used to?
Even though nothing's changed or maybe you find it difficult
to maintain the routine you've created
for yourself through weeks, months, or years.
Everybody needs a timeout,
otherwise they're at risk of burnout, which is characterized
by feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion caused
by prolonged stress and can be mistaken for depression.
With burnout,
you may find yourself unable to complete your tasks due
to increased mental distance from them,
or no energy because you're unable to cope
with the stress you've been enduring for a long time.
If you can relate, it might be a good idea
to practice a good work life balance.
Try to give time
to every aspect of your life to avoid burnout.
You can schedule activities
such as taking an overnight trip with your friends,
going on a blind date, or even going
to that dancing class you've been eyeing.
Keep active and explore many things to avoid stagnation.
And if that doesn't work after some time,
a visit to a therapist or doctor might help.
Number six,
you feel better after letting it out.
Do you feel lighter after a good cry?
Feeling better after letting your emotions out
is a good indicator that you're sad, not depressed,
because clinically depressed people often don't see
the point in opening up about what they're experiencing,
and tend to see themselves as worthless and undeserving
of attention.
Because of this, their relationships,
friendships and careers could be at risk.
According to Chocolate, talking
about your feelings is important
because it helps you process your emotions,
develop emotional awareness, and clear your mind.
So it's better to let your emotions out
than to keep them in.
That's why it's really helpful to be surrounded
by trustworthy and understanding friends.
And number seven, time heals you.
After a few weeks or even months,
do you still find yourself experiencing the same situation
or are you slowly forgetting about it?
Being able to bounce back is an indicator
that what you were experiencing is normal sadness,
not depression.
Depression is much more severe in terms
of the extent of the symptoms
and of how these symptoms impair the person's life.
And doctors will look for symptoms
that last at least two weeks as possible signs
of depression.
It can last for months or years,
and is more difficult to recover from than normal sadness.
So whenever you're sad,
take your time to acknowledge your sadness,
try to find healthy coping mechanisms, and surround yourself
with loving and supportive friends and family.
Can you relate to any of these points?
Please share your replies
in the comments below.
As always, the references
and studies used are in the description.
Until next time friends, take care and thanks for watching.