Sadness vs. Clinical Depression: Understanding the Difference

When you feel sad it can really feel terrible, but it is different from clinical depression. Depression can ruin a person’s life and have a serious affect on a person’s day to day function. Sadness can sometimes be severe, but can usually be handled with the help of a friend or some time to pass, and often people can still get some enjoyment out of life while they are sad. People with clinical depression have changes in their thought processes, changes in their physical health, and depression can sometimes be affected by past trauma or stress.

Pima Behavioral Health provides a range of treatments for individuals experiencing depression as well as a variety of other mental health disorders. Our staff of experienced Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners can evaluate, treat, and manage a wide array of mental health disorders. Our Tucson clinic is here to provide the psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and supportive therapy that is necessary to treat and to manage the symptoms of depression. We provide a safe and supportive environment where we can work with you to understand you as a person and to treat you in order to improve your life.

What Is Normal Sadness?

Sadness or feeling down from time to time is a normal part of life. Everyone can have down times. However, there are circumstances that cause more profound periods of grief or sadness than others. When we are sad or feeling down, it is typically related to an event or circumstance that can usually be identified as the cause of our feelings. With time and help of others, as well as involvement in activities that bring us pleasure, we are usually able to return to our normal state of being. This type of sadness is a natural part of life, helping us deal with difficult situations and allow us to heal and return to our normal lives.

The sadness of typical “Blue Moods” generally does allow for return to enjoyment of certain activities as well as for hope forthe future. In most cases, even though they are indeed very depressed or sad, individuals who are having a “Blue Mood” are typically able to manage the normal responsibilities of daily life and thus do not become unable to function in their normal daily routines. While time typically relieves typical “Blue Moods,” support from close friends and loved ones, as well as positive activities and events can also relieve such a depressed “Blue Mood.”

Examples of situations that commonly cause sadness include:

While sadness can be intense, it is not usually so debilitating that one cannot return to “normal” activities and enjoy events, etc. while feeling down.

What Is Clinical Depression?

Clinical Depression, also referred to as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), is more than just being sad or feeling the blues. It is a serious medical condition which affects thought, feelings, behavior, and physical health, resulting in individuals experiencing a decrease in normal functioning. There are many instances in which depression may occur: Sometimes there is a clear cause; other times there is no apparent reason and the condition results from a combination of genetic, chemical, medical, previous traumatic events, stress, and environmental factors.

While feelings of sadness are usually temporary and do not affect a person’s daily activities, people with clinical depression experience symptoms of the disorder for at least two weeks and it can last months or even years without treatment. Many symptoms of clinical depression affect a person’s work, school, and relationships and can interfere with activities of daily living and self-care.

Common symptoms of clinical depression include:

Persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
Fatigue or low energy nearly every day
Changes in appetite or weight
Sleeping too much or difficulty sleeping
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
Restlessness or slowed physical movement
Thoughts of death or suicide

No two people experience depression in the same way, and individuals can appear to function normally when, in reality, they are suffering from extreme emotional pain.

Key Differences Between Sadness and Depression

The biggest difference between sadness and depression is duration and severity. The emotions of a person who is sad tend to lift within a few hours or days, even if it’s to return again. The emotions of a person with depression are typically persistent and can be present all day, every day.

A person that is sad may still find occasion to laugh with friends and relatives. They may enjoy watching a movie, reading a book, going for a walk, playing a sport. A person with depression on the other hand loses interest in activities, and can feel emotionally numb.

In addition to how sadness affects people, as mentioned above, Clinical Depression has been shown to affect the physical health of many people with the disorder, changes in sleep (i.e., insomnia or hypersomnia), decreased or increased appetite, loss of energy, and decreased ability to concentrate, to name a few. All of these symptoms are not something that a person can just “snap out of” and require treatment from a professional.

When Should You Seek Professional Help?

It is important to seek a psychiatric evaluation if your symptoms last for depression last longer than two weeks or are becoming worse.

Professional treatment is especially important if you experience:

Early treatment of clinical depression is often key to recovering from the illness and avoiding worsening of symptoms.

How Is Clinical Depression Treated?

There is hope for people suffering with depression. Clinical depression is highly treatable, and with the right treatment most people are able to return to the activities, work and relationships they enjoy. At Pima Behavioral Health, our goal is to develop a treatment plan that will help each individual to reach their full potential. Treatment is individualized to include a combination of the following:

Comprehensive psychiatric assessments
Medication management when appropriate
Individual psychotherapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Lifestyle recommendations to support recovery
Ongoing monitoring and adjustment of treatment plans

A lot of patients are treated for depression by using a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Your provider will work with you to develop a treatment plan that is best suited to treat your symptoms and other needs.

You Don't Have to Face Depression Alone

Everyone experiences sadness from time to time, but it is not something to be endured. A person can often tell the difference between normal sadness and clinical depression, and seek help for themselves or a loved one if they are struggling with symptoms of depression.

If you or a loved one is struggling with depression, we are here to help. Pima Behavioral Health is a leading provider of evidence-based, quality outpatient psychiatric care for adolescents and adults. Our caring staff of Psychiatric Nurse practitioners provide services to individuals and their families living in Tucson, and across the state of Arizona through our telepsychiatry services. With the right treatment and support, individuals with depression are able to recover fully and go on to lead happy, healthy, productive lives. Contact us today at 520-355-1122 to schedule a psychiatric evaluation and to get started on the path to recovery!