How do you know the difference in actually being depressed and needing medical help, than just being sad?
Answer:
Sadness comes from the outside. Depression comes from within. When you begin to have the sad feelings even when all around you is going well, and you have no external issues to affect your mood, it is time to seek the opinion of a professional.
i don't know we have the same question but its only in my mind
from experience I would say just being sad is temporary and depression is more of a long term thing.
There are depression questionnaires that give you a score. Here's a link to one:
Get treatment if you need it, good luck.
If you think you need medical help you're probably just sad.
I'm not a doctor, but I have suffered post-partum depression. You know instinctively that there is something seriously wrong with you. Then there is no real cause for the blue funk that you are in- that just becomes a way of life. Its like you are a prisoner of your thoughts, resentments, and everything exists only to make you unhappy.
Whereas now that I'm out of the depression, life is mostly a happy place with space for all emotions including sadness, joy, anger, love.
I think that everyone experiences depression to some degree at some time in there lives. You need help if you are ever suicidal -have suicidal thoughts - or if your feeling of sadness lasts a long time, that you just can't seem to get out of. Listed below is a depression screening site. The state that the screening should be for those over 18.
Every one gets sad for like a day or two. If it's depression, it can last for weeks, months, or even years.
I believe that the longevity of the sadness and if it effects your life in every aspect determines if one needs medical help or a simple hug to lift their spirits.
There is always a light at the end of the tunnel, times can seem very rough but you have to believe that things will get better
Being sad is a temporary feeling usually caused by an event, like losing your job or fighting with your partner. Sadness is normal for people to experience, and we all go through it.
Simplified, being depressed is a feeling of being down or sad that lingers for more than two weeks and is accompanied by feelings of despair, helplessness, and hopelessness. Negative thinking about self and others is common. In severe cases, this can lead to suicide.
If you have prolonged feelings of sadness accompanied by any of the other symptoms I mentioned, I strongly suggest you see a doctor for help. Only a doctor or psychologist can diagnose you properly.
Depression is a treatable illness, but you have to reach out for help.
Depression that requires medical attention can include any combonations of these symptoms,
Change in appetite (or even eating has come to a stop)
Changes in sleep
Irritability
Aches and pains
Thoughts of death or suicide
Lack of motivation (to do everyday things, even as simple as getting out of bed or taking a shower)
Things you usually enjoy are unappealing
Lack of concentration
These are longer lasting compared to everyday "Oh that's sad" depression and they actually have an effect on your everyday life. If any of these symptoms appear and show no sign of letting up, then you should go see a doctor for a check-up.
There the doctor will ask you questions about how you have been feeling and will determine whether or not it's depression. From there he/she will most likely ask you if you'd like to try fighting it with anti-depressants or frequent visits to a psychologist.
Depression is a long lasting feeling that affects patterns of behavior, such as eating and sleeping. As depression gets worse it can affect relationships with friends, at work, etc. Sadness is more situational. . .
Depression is sadness at a much steeper level. Depression and sadness can be difficult to tell apart. Even psychiatrists and psychologists have a hard time discerning. Depending on your personality, medical help is not required for all depressed individuals.
Hi there
I am really feeling sorry for how your feeling now either way. When these overwhelming feelings of sadness and depression start efecting and interfering with the day to day fubctioning of your life you need to seek medical advice/ assistance. A simple bout of sadness should not interfear but needs to be kept an eye on. I hope you feel better soon.
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