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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?
★ This question about Depression was starred by a moderator on 5/12/2016.
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Top Rated Answers
funnyVision29
December 30th, 2015 9:46pm
Depression is usually a reoccurring feeling of sadness thay can come about with no clear reason. Sadness usually occurs right after something sad happens or takes place.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
StormyAngles18
December 17th, 2015 12:42am
RESEARCH !!!!(: that's the best resource we have and normally if you feel like its not getting better and it seems to be getting worse it may be depression especially if its every day and if not it may be sadness.
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.
Anonymous
December 17th, 2015 8:30am
Being sad and/or depressed feels like you're drowning in your feelings. Being sad for a day doesn't really count as depression, but if you have a bunch of sad days in a row, you might have depression. Even through these sad or depressing days, the people on 7cups are more than welcome to help you out
bandingforlife
December 17th, 2015 12:56pm
Depression is ongoing, you lose motivation and you feel empty. In my experience when you have depression you lose yourself and you lose hope.
Anonymous
December 17th, 2015 3:40pm
You don't like to do the things anymore you'd loved to do at first. You're not able to get out of bed and if you do, you feel tired all of the time. You'll notice that you're not smiling as much as you did and that you might be loosing contact with the people who were at first so important in your life. You're living more inside of your head and don't want to go outside and do things anymore.
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
Anonymous
December 17th, 2015 11:02pm
Everyone experiences sadness at points in their lives. Depression is far different. Depression tends to be prolonged in nature and can be accompanied by mood swings, weight changes, decreased interest in normal activities, insomnia, and other non desirable personality changes. If you think you are suffering from depression please consult your doctor.
birdwatcher444
December 18th, 2015 1:06am
Being sad is the general feeling of just being blue. A lot of people feel that way sometimes. However, if it gets to a point where you constantly feel sad, if you are feeling suicidal, if you have an urge to self harm, or if you feel hopeless, that is known as depression. If you feel depressed, please seek professional help. Stay strong! c:
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
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.
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.
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.
Anonymous
December 23rd, 2015 9:43pm
It's that feeling in my gut when I wake up or am in the middle of the day. It's this feeling that something is off. I know I don't WANT to feel this way, but I do. I would give anything to stop it. One day... I don't know how... But it mostly went away... I think it was when I really started to let go. It comes back from time to time. I know it'll always be here with me... But I can live. I know I can survive.
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!
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.
Greatlistener87
December 26th, 2015 3:49pm
Your sad when something gets you down and you cry and feel down a little while about it but you pick yourself up and move on afterwards. Depression is when you feel down for a long period of time and find it hard to pick yourself up and move on.