what causes depression, and how is it different than normal sadness?

Depression can be caused by many things, loss of a loved one, stressful life events, medication side effects, and even come out of nowhere. Everyone has been sad before, everyone gets the occasional blues, but depression is different. Very, very different. Depression is an extended period of time where you feel sad, bleak, dull, and maybe even guilty. The world seems black and white, you've lost interest in your usual hobbies, you're easily irritable, and other symptoms like these are what differ depression from sadness. Depression is ongoing, sadness is momentary. Depression is a serious mental illness, but it's treatable with therapy and even medications. Hope this helped answer your question.

sadness is a normal human emotion which we can always overcome and will always return to, it doesn't trigger anything, any actions or the well being of the person to a severe state, whereas in depression your actions and thoughts are due to your state, it triggers someone and changes people's perceptions, behavior and feelings, you feel less, you don't feel as enthusiastic about others.

There can be a lot of reasons for depression.Like for example any traumatic life events,family history of depression,some serious medical illness,drug and/or alcohol use,personality(the people who have low self-esteem,who are very sensitive to criticism,who are perfectionists and have a negative pattern of thinking are prone to have depression) and chemical imbalance in the brain. Depression is way more intense than sadness.Depression is a long-term thing and it is a disorder whereas sadness is just a feeling and doesn't cause any severe harm.I you wish to know the exact and precise difference between the two,you can talk to a psychologist.If in case you want to find out if you have depression or not,you need to get a proper diagnosis done(through a psychiatrist).

Depression can be caused by even simple things and it is next level sadness where you don't even know why you are sad about.You wont be able to control your emotions.

Sadness is a feeling and a normal reaction to a stressor or situation. Depression is prolonged sadness with loss of pleasure and interest in previously enjoyed activities accompanied by changes in sleep, energy, appetite, weight, concentration, thinking, thoughts of death or suicide, and feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt that lasts for days, weeks or months. Depression is not only distressing but also socially, occupationally or academically impairing. Clinical depression often necessitates professional intervention, i.e. psychotherapy and/or psychiatric medication. Depression can occur in a single episode or can be recurrent over the lifespan. Depression can be unipolar or bipolar (I.e. alternating between hypomanic or manic episodes).

Hi. In my opinion a lot of factors can cause depression not just one thing, for example: abuse, bullying,self hatred,loss, mental /physical health problems, financial problems, family stress, stress in general and much much more. Depression can also be a gene thing where you can inherit low serotonin levels (happiness hormone) which can cause depression. Depression is different from feeling sad because sadness only lasts for a while and then you begin to feel better whereas depression is like this never ending spiral of darkness and you are forever falling with nothing you hold onto or catch you and it gets to the point where there's no light and no turning back. Depression is just the feeling of numb any wanting to give up yet wanting to live, its wanting to be alone yet surrounded by people.Depression is in my opinion one of the worst things anyone can go through. I'm sorry for the long reply but I hoped it helped you