Blues clues: How to tell depression from sadness

The experience of depression is often described by patients as akin to drowning, but imagine there are millions of other people in the same sea of darkness, and many ships ready with lifelines. Getting better begins at swimming towards the light.

We know it’s not easy, depression is a complex mental health condition that goes far beyond sadness. As a result, it’s not always clear whether you or someone you know is suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD) or just having a bad week. But knowing the difference can be vital to catching signs before it advances into a long-term medical issue.

In a breakthrough study published by Nature Genetics last month, researchers found that there are 44 genetic variants that influence depression, and all humans carry at least some of them. The news could shine a light on perhaps why depressive disorders have risen with the population — more than 18 percent globally since 2005 — affecting over 300 million people. In high-income countries, nearly 50 percent of people with depression forgo treatment. Depressive episode is the most common condition among Ada users aged 18–35 globally, even surpassing cases of the common cold by 14 percent.

Lack of social support for people with mental disorders and stigma prevents them from living healthy lives, which is why it’s important to know how to talk to someone who is suffering. If caught early, interventions can prevent new episodes of MDD disorder by as much as 25 percent.

To better understand the common mood disorder and what we as individuals can do about it, we sat down with one of our in-house medical experts, Dr. Angela. The Argentinian Ph.D. specialized in psychiatry in the Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, in Mendoza and spent five years working as a hospital physician. Angela delicately narrates the inner feelings of the severe stages of the mental disorder.

“MDD is not only or necessarily about being sad. Often it’s when you feel just, nothing. When color has been drained out of life and you feel like emptiness is infinite,”

Unlike non-clinical depression, MDD can’t be fixed with exercise or ice cream. Patients often show five or more of these signs for a minimum of two weeks:

1. Sadness or increased Irritability. Depression is not necessarily about feeling sad or in a low mood, sometimes just moodiness.
2. Loss of interest. People lose joy or interest in what used to interest them.
3. Lack of self-worth. A recurring feeling of guilt or worthlessness.
4. Fatigue. Tiredness and lack of energy
5. Lack of focus. Inability to pay attention to what happens around you, thinking and talking slowly or difficulties making easy decisions
6. Suicidal thoughts. Frequent thoughts about death, dying.
7. Changes in physiology. Over or under eating, sleeping too much or too little.

For more signs of depression, visit our condition library.

Angela explains, “With minor depression, someone will experience less than five of these symptoms. Depending on the severity and duration, it might not be necessary to see a psychiatrist,” she clarifies, “Sometimes people feel the top five symptoms for just a few days. With minor depression, you’re able to still able to perform the minimum function in society, like showing up to work or social events.”

Then there is a low mood or just sadness. We often hear, ‘I’m so depressed because I don’t like my new job and I fought with my boyfriend,’ but it’s likely just irritation caused by life changes. Angela reminds us, “Sadness is just a regular feeling.” We know, it’s hard to tell. So when you’re not sure, here are approaches we can take:

Caring for someone who might be clinically depressed

Things you can do to prevent symptoms of minor depression from getting worse

1. Walk. Go outside to engage in small interactions with a store owner or a smile from a passerby. This simple friendliness of a stranger can lighten your mood.
2. Adjust. Manage your expectations by understanding what truly makes you personally happy, not what society or social media unattainably equates to happiness like a six pack or a six-figure salary.
3. Express. Learn to talk about your emotions. Depression is often masked with anger, or saying you’re tired, or can’t focus, but it can be a sign of something more serious.
4. Seek. Contact a medical professional if you feel like your condition is only getting worse. Early treatment can be very effective in getting you back on your feet.

Our medical expert’s last tip is to believe. Depression is just a phase, and there is always something that can be done to get better.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of self harm or suicide, it’s very important to seek help from a healthcare professional as soon as possible. If you cannot access one then it may be helpful to talk to a trusted friend, or relative or mental health helpline within your area.

All interviewees are trained medical experts but all information should be regarded as helpful suggestions and not a formal medical diagnosis.