We all feel sad and blue sometimes, some of us call it "depressed". A variety of life events can leave people feeling sad - death of a lovedone, divorce, loss of job or income, financial trouble and etc.
If we all feel sad and blue at certain points in life, then - What is the difference between feeling sad and being depressed?
Sadness is a normal human emotion that every single person will experience at stressful or somber times. Depression is a mental disorder that has an overpowering effect on many parts of a person’s life. It can occur in people of any gender or age and alters behaviors and attitudes.
Symptoms Include: depressed mood, lot of interest in activities that the individual once found enjoyable, decreased energy, feeling worthless or excursive guilt, difficulty concentrating or thinking. In some cases, thought about death and attempts to suicide.
On 2011, a young talented girl decided to audition for the x-factor. This decision changed Jesy Nelson's life forever. She met her bandmates and together they became Little Mix, the most successful girl band in the world. Nobody suspected that during all this success Little Mix star Jesy Nelson is fighting depression.
On Jesy's award winning documentary "Odd One Out", she opened up about the straggles she had to deal with. She was bullied by online trolls at time that there was not even a name for cyberbullying, she was constantly criticized to the point when she began thinking what they say about her is true. Slowly her confidence faded away and she began hating parts of herself. " I couldn't make myself happy" she said. At the lowest point Jesy attempted a suicide. Jesy described depression as feeling "heartbroken all the time".
"if a can give my younger self any advice it would be I promise someday you'll gonna be happy again" Jesy said on her inspirational documentary. The award winning star admitted that speaking up about her straggles help her to left this weight off her shoulders.
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) note that depression is one of the most common mental health illnesses in the United States.
If you feel any of the symptoms I mentioned above please talk to someone, find help you and can change your life today.
References:
https://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/q-and-a/whats-the-difference-between-sadness-and-depression
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/314418#knowing-the-difference
Kaplan GRE Psychology Subject Test Book
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idyXOMAZOUg