Is It Depression or Just Sadness? Knowing the Difference
Understand the key differences between clinical depression and the normal emotion of sadness, and when to seek help.
Sadness is a temporary emotion, a normal reaction to loss or difficult situations. Depression, on the other hand, is a persistent medical illness. The key differences are duration and severity. While sadness fades with time, depression lingers for weeks or months and significantly interferes with daily life. Key signs of depression include a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed, changes in sleep or appetite, persistent fatigue, and feelings of worthlessness. If these symptoms sound familiar, it's important to seek help. Depression is highly treatable with therapy and/or medication.
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