Are You Just Sad, or is it Clinical Depression?

Sadness is a natural human emotion that everyone experiences from time to time. Like any other emotion, it comes and goes depending on circumstances. Like those other emotions, sadness also usually fades away after time. Clinical depression, on the other hand, is not so temporary.

Whereas it’s healthy to feel sad sometimes, depression is something else entirely. Oftentimes people will say “I’m depressed” when what they really mean is, “I’m very sad”. But, how do you know when it’s just temporary sadness that will go away on its own, or clinical depression that requires treatment?

Common Symptoms of Clinical Depression

The first sign that it might be more than simply sadness, and something more serious like a mental illness such as depression, is how long the sadness sticks around. When you’re sad it can feel never-ending, but eventually, you move on and feel other emotions. When it comes to clinical depression, however, the sadness is all-encompassing and doesn’t go away.

Some of the most common symptoms of depression include difficulty concentrating, fatigue, loss of interest in hobbies or other things you used to enjoy, and suicidal thoughts. It’s possible for symptoms of sadness and clinical depression to overlap, but because depression is a mental illness and not an emotion, these symptoms won’t go away on their own.

Clinical depression can happen to anyone, no matter their age, gender, socioeconomic status, or ethnic group. Because it’s an equal-opportunity mental illness, it’s more common than you might think. Chances are you know at least one person with diagnosed clinical depression, whether you’re aware of it or not.

DSM-5 Criteria For Clinical Depression

The DSM-5, or The American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, is widely used by mental health professionals to diagnose mental disorders. The DSM-5 lists criteria for all recognized mental disorders for mental health professionals to use as an aid in diagnosing patients. This trusted source of information on mental illnesses is a favorite among mental health professionals, and if you do see someone about your persistent sadness, they will likely use it.

The nine criteria listed by the DSM-5 for depression are:

1. Feeling depressed all day on most days

2. Lack of interest in things you used to find enjoyable

3. Oversleeping, or sleeping too little

4. Overeating or undereating

5. Increased irritability, or restlessness

6. Fatigue

7. Feelings of guilt or worthlessness

8. Trouble concentrating or making decisions

9. Suicidal thoughts or actions, or excessive thoughts surrounding the death

Article Link - Are You Just Sad, or is it Clinical Depression?

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Author - Jessica Aurelia

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