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I feel sad a lot, unmotivated, and I often can't stop crying for many hours. But I sleep and eat decently and I also can smile or laugh sometimes. Am I depressed or just sad?

277 Answers
Last Updated: 05/27/2022 at 2:23am
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
Moderated by

Polly Letsch, LCSW

Clinical Social Work/Therapist

I provide non-judgmental, person-centered, objective therapeutic treatment for individuals of all ages to improve social, emotional, mental and other areas of functioning.

Top Rated Answers
calmArrow24
May 9th, 2018 2:45am
It depends on how long this has been going on. Everyone can feel sad, but if it’s been perisistant for a while, even if you have moments of happiness, it is possible that you have depression. For almost 6 months, I ignored all the warning signs of depression, because I just assumed I was sad, but I’d get over it. If you’re not sure, you should be on the safe side and look further into it instead of shrugging it off.
positiveForever73
May 23rd, 2018 5:29am
Well first, crying can be healthy. However, try journaling, and see whats going on. Keep up self care, mindfulness excercises really help me.
Anonymous
May 30th, 2018 12:58am
it depends on how long and how often you've been feeling this way. it sounds like depression, but i can't be for sure exactly seeing as how i am not a doctor or professional therapist. if you suspect you are depressed, contact a therapist or doctor
vibha2109
May 30th, 2018 3:21pm
First of all, I'm sorry you're going through such a tough time! I'm sending you lots of love.
Anonymous
June 1st, 2018 11:47pm
I'm sorry to hear that. We all go through this. However it's always a good thing to ask for help from someone. The best way to help yourself is to talk to someone who can understand what your going through. It is very hard to diagnose someone unless you are a professional. Please don't be afraid to seek out help from a friend or a therapist.
Anonymous
June 7th, 2018 12:30am
I wouldn't jump to conclusions or start to diagnose yourself like that but if you are really concerned and want a professional opinnion then try to scheadule an appointment with a therapist , good luck!!!
SitaV
June 14th, 2018 9:26am
That sounds really tough, and my heart goes out to you. A clinical diagnosis of depression is something that can only be given to you by a psychologist or psychiatrist. I would recommend going to see one and getting evaluated. Even if you are able to sleep, eat and laugh you may have a variant known as Atypical Depression. Only you know what is normal and abnormal for yourself. Never stop seeking help.
Anonymous
June 14th, 2018 6:38pm
It sounds like you are depressed and may need to pursue counseling. You may feel happy from time to time but when that sadness comes back, it can hurt your overall functioning, leaving you feeling fatigued and overwhelmed.
Anonymous
June 20th, 2018 6:40am
I was going through something very similar to this a while ago. I believe you are depressed, at least mildly. Please speak to someone you trust about this and get help. I know you'll get through this!
Alidoruta2help
June 21st, 2018 12:55am
Do you have a reason for this? Did any sad event happened to you? If you are asking this question it can mean that this situation have been going on for a while an is affecting your overall life satisfaction. I would suggest you seek a therapist and try a few sessions. Better safe than sorry all I'm saying. Wish you all the luck!
Charlie40
June 22nd, 2018 11:43pm
My feeling is that being deeply and intuitively attuned to the world can make you sad a lot, our world is far from being a safe place for all, and being connected to that can make you cry a lot, and rather than a sign of depression in the medical sense, it can be a sign of deep empathy and connection with the millions of sadnesses coming and going among humans. It can be a sign that you are connected with your own emotions, which is painful often, I know. If you sleep ok, then that is precious, and I am glad you are. Crying can sometimes be the best way the body finds to release the stress that comes with understanding the pain of others, whether you know them or just know that people here and there are suffering. But it is possible that depression can start lurking around when the whole body starts modifying sleep, eating, energy patterns in response to an added stress or traumaI hitting a deeply, even sometimes unknowingly compassionate soul. To hear that you smile and laugh sometimes tells me that you are attuned to joy as well. It may seem strange to others, that you’d be experiencing both, but for me, from what I have experienced, it is a sign that you are connected to the world. I often wonder whether depression and deep frequent sadness affects empathetic people more. I don’t know, but it wouldn’t surprise me. Then being unmotivated could be your inner self gently nudging you towards an activity or job that allows you to reconcile the sadness and smiling. For example I was thinking of trying to volunteer on a improv theater project with people recovering from trauma. Another thing I am trying to do is write stories, (even if I don’t show them!), to see what comes up in my imagination to help a character when they are in trouble, and if I like what comes up, I use it for myself, to feel better. Because with or without depression, sadness can be so genuine and intense, it can affect a lot of aspects of your life. The sadness feels to me sometimes like hearing many music instruments playing but not synchronised, it exhausts you but you can tell there is a beautiful piece of music in there, something you’d like to hear, you’d need to hear, you even vaguely recognise some of it, but it is scrambled somehow, and it doesn’t stop very often. When it gets unscrambled, though, and it does happens, I feel like the sadness was... strangely, my friend, just being patient but not leaving either.
heartfulBeauty84
June 23rd, 2018 2:51am
People who have depression do not always show all of the symptoms. Check in with a doctor or nurse and they can help you with this. A lack of motivation is a big sign of depression. I would recommend talking to a professional soon.
Anonymous
July 5th, 2018 7:05am
Sounds like depression. Symptoms are different for different people. Some people can be very angry all the time and it is because of depression. Being able to sleep, eat, or smile and laugh at times doesn’t mean you aren’t depressed. Also take into consideration how long this has been going on.
Anonymous
July 14th, 2018 12:13am
Depression rears its head differently for everyone. You may experience some of the symptoms, but perhaps not all of them. I recommend you speak with a doctor about this; whether it be a regular one who can refer you elsewhere or a psychiatrist. There are also hotlines you can call for help, if need be.
Anonymous
July 14th, 2018 3:40am
You could have what is called Bipolar depression. Which means you have these highs of being happy. Then these lows of depression
UntilThen
July 18th, 2018 12:34am
Being depressed doesn't mean you are never happy. It means you have noticeable trouble getting or staying motivated to do things that people usually feel naturally motivated to do, such as eat, take care of hygiene, so simple tasks, clean, etc. The distinguishing factor between depression and just being sad sometimes is that depression is consistent and impedes your ability to live life to the fullest.
Chynecheremsworld
July 19th, 2018 3:08am
No sometimes these feelings come you dont have to dwell and feed on them always try to chose a better of two goods
peacefuldee26
July 19th, 2018 6:09pm
It is possible that you are suffering from depression, as those are common symptoms and depression is an illness that can vary in severity. The best option is to speak to your healthcare professional and explain how you feel
Anonymous
July 25th, 2018 5:00pm
That sounds rough, don’t worry. think positive! you got this, stay strong. i’m here for you! focus on the good things, things that make you happy!
Anonymous
August 10th, 2018 1:16pm
You may be are depressed , being able to eat and sleep is possible while being depressed, maybe going to the doctor will help you find out better
Anonymous
August 11th, 2018 8:18pm
Whether you are depressed or sad, the problem is that if you ask yourself this question, it means that something in your life has gone wrong, you need to find out what it is and throw your negative thoughts..
comfortableRainbow89
August 12th, 2018 2:12am
You are depressed and sad. I'm so sorry. You need support from friends and family. You need to reach out. Do volunteer works or participate in events where you talk to people. Socializing will make you feel great.
MarrilyDarrily
August 12th, 2018 7:30pm
it feels like you have some underlying problems that you are suppressing. maybe a feeling or situations. Or you are not admitting something to yourself.
DelicateIris3
August 15th, 2018 3:29am
In my experience, I'd characterize it as depression. Not being able to move for hours and sobbing in bed is impossibly hard to get out of. I got out of it by working out, eating right, and making sure I left the house every day. Even if it was just 30 minutes, I still had the satisfaction of knowing that I did something.
GratefulYogi
September 6th, 2018 2:49pm
This reminds me of how I've felt through the past couple years. I cannot make a diagnose, of course, but there is something called "high-functioning depression" which allows you to do things and laugh and smile, while also having depression. I have it, and for a long time I thought I was just sad or overreacting. If possible, talk to a professional that can provide you more guidance about this, especially if you're concerned that you might be depressed. Depression presents itself in many ways, and they're all valid and very real. Feel free to message me if you'd like to chat some more, alright? Much love to you!
AnneCat
September 12th, 2018 11:57am
I am not a therapist, so it isn't my place to give a diagnosis, but any time feelings of less than normal, or any time we don't feel happy, it is a good idea to consider speaking with a licensed therapist. Sometimes there is more going on than being in a funk, or having a streak of bad luck. When low feelings persist for long periods of time, a therapist can help pull us out and back to feeling like ourselves again. Sometimes that only takes a few conversations, like speaking with a listener on 7 Cups, but being able to receive advice and a proper diagnosis.
Anonymous
September 26th, 2018 10:20pm
In my opinion, you are depressed. Being depressed doesn't mean you're sad all the time. One key point in depression is the lack of interest in activities that you've previously enjoyed. If you feel like that, it's more likely that you are depressed than sad, because we can still do things we enjoy when we're sad. That's how we feel better a lot of the time! Depression often comes with difficulty eating and/or sleeping, but it doesn't always. Depression is classified as a mood disorder because it primarily affects your moods. Crying doesn't have to be an indicator of sadness either! Sometimes we cry because we don't know how else to let out our emotions, because we're overwhelmed, or it happens suddenly with seemingly no reason. These kinds of crying also come with depression. It's more the intensity of your depressed moods that suggest depression, rather than the frequency.
Anonymous
October 7th, 2018 10:10pm
It sounds like you could be both sad and depressed. You might want to consult with a professional about your problems so that you can get medically treated and possibly get some much needed relief from your stressful life style. It can be extremely difficult trying to determine on your own what is really troubling you. Psych doctor can give you a test to determine if you have some depression issues. Once your evaluation and blood has been taking your doctor can determine if you need medication to treat you and to see if you therapy along with your medication.
Sciamach
October 20th, 2018 3:22am
Though it might be more difficult than it would be otherwise, depressed people can sometimes smile, and laugh, and sleep and eat well. You don't need to show all the symptoms of depression in order to be depressed, although sadness, lack of motivation, and crying are definitely some of the signs of depression. If this persists for over two weeks, then you may have to check with a doctor to see if you have depression. Generally, if these symptoms occur for two weeks or more, you may have major depressive disorder. It depends on the situation, though just in case, you should see the doctor.
WendyBird15
October 27th, 2018 11:42pm
I can't say for you personally if it is depression or just saddness; however I can say from my own personal experience that depression can show itself in many different ways. I have times when I can smile and laugh as well but then I have a depressive episode in which during those times I am down, I cry a lot. I am not motivated, I often may even find it hard to do the simple things like get out of bed. These episodes may last for a few days or even weeks but they do lift and I have time to smile again. So to answer your question. Only a professional can say for sure if you are experiencing feelings of depression or just sad.