What is the difference between depression and sadness?

Let's define and identify the difference between sadness and depression. They are correlated, but is not the same. Not being able to know the difference between the two can result to neglect of possible serious condition or on the other spectrum overreact to a normal emotional state.  We have thought that sadness equates  to depression, but this is not necessarily true. The emotion sadness is constant in depression, but something deeper than being sad that has been triggered by difficult situation, loss or change of circumstances.

Sadness is a normal human emotion. We all have experienced it and we will again. It is normal to feel sad about something and when we are able to adapt, adjust or moved on there will be a change of emotion.

Depression is an abnormal emotional state, a mental illness that affect your perception, thinking, emotions and behavior in a chronic way. It saps the motivation energy, make it less interesting, make it  less enjoyable overall it make things blurry. This can result to suicidal ideation, anxiety, panic and many more possibilities.

I was confused for almost 2 years. Thinking that this a cause of changes in my life and that I was being self centered. This may be just a simple issue that became severe because of my neglect. There are test and assessments available to identify if you are going through depression. Don't be like me. It will not hurt you to visit a counselor, psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist. This will help you identify issues, concerns and will be able to prescribe ways to get better.