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How do I know if I'm sad or depressed?

341 Answers
Last Updated: 02/25/2023 at 7:32am
How do I know if I'm sad or depressed?
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Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
December 30th, 2015 8:41pm
depression is when youre very sad for long periods of time. being sad is when its a day or two. but honestly you can never be sure unless you go visit a doctor.
CarryOnMyWaywardIdjits
December 30th, 2015 6:37pm
It is not a mood. It won't just disappear, no matter what anyone says or what you want to feel like. So please, if your sadness is incurring and not going away, seek help. We're all here for you and we aren't going anywhere. Xx
Shunyata
December 30th, 2015 1:28pm
When you don't want to get out of bed anymore, that's when you know things are getting bad again....
wonderfulhurrane74
December 30th, 2015 12:55pm
I think that sadness its a momentary feeling that will eventually pass with time. Depresion It is based on a permanent grief, sadness in the long run, a sadness that dominates our brain which doesnt allow you to feel any other feeling but negative feelings. Ill hope that i make my self clear:)
Anonymous
December 30th, 2015 8:55am
When you are depressed, you'll know. Depression isn't just I feel a little sad today. It's I've felt sad continuously for a few weeks or months. You may not enjoy things you use to, be more tired, and just be worn out when you haven't done anything.
Anonymous
December 27th, 2015 11:03pm
If you're sad you are just sad but if you're depressed you don't care about anything at all it is usually easy to tell
SmileyJess
December 27th, 2015 8:33pm
Depression is not just an extension of sadness. In addition to low mood and loss of interest, depression can have other troubling symptoms, including: Sleep problems: either sleeping too much, being unable to fall asleep, or waking up in the night Appetite issues: either eating too much, or not wanting to eat Low energy levels Concentration problems Negative thinking or feeling very pessimistic
FountainOfTruth
December 27th, 2015 6:10am
If you want a quick and dirty answer: You know you're depressed when you're persistently sad *and* you feel like you can't do anything to change that. If you're unsure, see your doctor.
khloe1216
December 16th, 2015 8:56pm
best thing you can do is go see a doctor about it if you are concerned about it you may just be sad for a little bit then go back to normal but best thing is to go see a doctor
Trintzu
February 25th, 2023 7:32am
Depression feels very different from sadness. Every person witnesses and sees sadness in their life. Depression is a mood disorder, which can be diagnosed. Some describe it as a feeling like you are worthless. It is on a much higher scale than sadness and can do much more damage. If you do ever feel like you are worthless or this life just isn't for you, please talk to a friend, parent, doctor, or a listener on this site. It will help, a lot. Even if you feel in the beginning, that you are all alone in this situation, there is always someone who can relate to you.
JillieJillie
November 16th, 2015 8:14am
Your body has a strange way of alarming you that you are not ok. I was once manipulated by a man and I will say with absolute confidence that when you are unsure what to think, trust that your body will never lie to you. If it's sore, it will tell you. Same with being tired, in love, happy, excited, hurt - everything! So listen! If you find yourself carrying your body rather than prancing around in it, you are sad. If you are walking around with a limbo/ just woken up feeling - chances are you've been manipulated, are tired, or are too stressed to. Your body will hang in there, but look after it. It deserves your love just as much as love from others.
Anonymous
December 11th, 2015 1:33pm
Sadness is a normal human emotion, depression is a mental health issue, if it lasts for a while then it may be best to consider visiting the doctor
Anonymous
December 12th, 2015 5:20am
Being depressed is not being only sad. You can feel worthless, wonder what your purpose is and just feel like complete poop. If you feel down a lot of the time, it's most likely depression.
happyhearts5
December 12th, 2015 4:08pm
when your sad,you just forget your saddest moments within days.while when you are in a depreesed state,you feel like you are alone,emptiness all around,not feeling like talking to anyone,etc.
Anonymous
December 13th, 2015 3:04am
Depression is a constant feeling that you can't shake off, whereas sadness isn't. Sadness can be painful at the moment, but depression is something that really alters your life and is often unbearable.
blissfulSunrise93
December 13th, 2015 5:02am
Sad is a feeling. Depression is more a lack of feeling. You're either tearful often or find no point to doing things, though depression can be different for everyone. Depression is more either a constant sadness or a lack of sadness, depending on you
blissfulCaramel72
December 13th, 2015 5:19pm
Everyone is sad or down some of the time. But if you find yourself increasingly sad, losing interest in the things you do and more lethargic then you may suffer from depression
professionalSea53
December 13th, 2015 7:45pm
It depends how long you've been sad. If its on going you might be depressed and id advise you to talk to a doctor to get evaluated.
iouty
December 16th, 2015 1:03pm
You know you are depressed when you have a long periods of sadness, and or irritability. Depression can be diagnosed if it is lasting longer than 2 weeks, although it is frequently associated with lack of interest in other activities.
TopHattedTeaMan
December 16th, 2015 3:06pm
You feel down, You dont want to /cant smile at the best of events or things. You feel unmotivated to carry out simple tasks.
StayStrong152
August 25th, 2015 10:00pm
Only a psychiatrist can determine that for sure, however depression is usually linked more along with not enjoying your life altogether, feeling constantly upset and drained, and sometimes suicidal. Whereas sad is more temporary, like 'aw that really sucked.' There is a very large difference between the two.
Tinkerman84
December 16th, 2015 4:19pm
Well, looking at the different studies on this matter there's no definite line to draw or point at to determine that you're sad or depressed. Depression is normally defined by the time you've felt sad. Depression needs to be treated by a professional. Just to give some kind of timeline, if you feel sad over one particular thing for more then two weeks you should visit the doctor for further guidance. Talk to your friends and family, normally they spot the signs first.
Anonymous
December 16th, 2015 8:43pm
That's a good question. I would encourage you to take a free online depression test that would be a good guide to answer that. Although these tests cannot diagnose anything, it may provide insight into what you're feeling. Ask yourself this: how long have you felt sad? Does this interfere with your daily life? Have you lost your motivation and pleasure in things once enjoyed? Finding out for sure may warrant a visit to a professional.
heyimbernard
December 23rd, 2015 5:11am
Sadness is a momentary feeling, considered healthy and important for doctors. Help in the preparation of losses, or occasional pain. People affected by the occurrence of losses, employment or loved ones are going through a phase of suffering and distress, which may last for a certain period of time. Now, if the sadness does not pass, and begin to arise feelings of apathy, indifference, hopelessness, lack of prospects or enjoyment of life, know that this is a clear symptom of depression. Symptoms can appear or disappear in a subtle and almost imperceptible, but it is important to know that they can come back. Depression is a serious illness and so should be treated.
DarkFairy99
December 18th, 2015 6:49pm
When sadness persists for more than two weeks and affects your life in some aspects you're probably depressed. When you're depressed it's harder for the ones around you to notice that you're not okay, because when you're depressed you tend to pretend that everything's okay with you and your life.
Anonymous
December 18th, 2015 10:09pm
Great question. Well, if you're depressed it usually lasts longer than 4 weeks and is persistent. Depression can be felt at all times, but sadness isn't felt as extreme. Sadness is natural, and it's okay to be sad. But I recommend never going through sadness or depression alone!
Anonymous
December 19th, 2015 5:51pm
You'll know that you're sad or depressed when people around you make jokes and everyone is laughing but you, you start losing appetite, you find it hard to concentrate on your work and/or even when worse come to worst, the possibility to hurt yourself somehow crosses your mind.
Anonymous
December 25th, 2015 4:32am
Sad is temporary. You get sad for maybe a week. Depression is the loss of motivation. Emptiness. Constant sadness. Feeling like nothing matters. Feeling alone, like no one cares. Depression is long term.
HeyItsMary11
December 26th, 2015 1:56pm
When your sad, you know the reason why you are sad and sadness is just temporary. The feeling will go away, also, when your sad you cant hide it. When youre depress you hide it in smiles and laughters but youre just empty inside. When youre depress you never really know the reason why...you may had from the start but in a long run, you get lost in it and the feeling never really goes away. There are good days and bad days in depression.
Anonymous
December 18th, 2015 6:41pm
When you are sad or depressed you tend to act different. Since all people are different, you might not k ow as soon as it started. Sometimes you might find yourself more distant from others. Or maybe you don't wanna leave a certain place.