How do u know it is depression or just sad

A bit confused here. How do you know it is "depression" or "just being sad" or maybe " living conditions) I would guess if one feels sad for more than a few days then it might be depression. Guess I am not sure how long I feel sad to know the difference from depression or just being sad.

I do think I feel sad a lot and keep busy doing things to not feel sad. But then "arrows" are shot at me out of the blue and screws up the whole idea of making myself happy...

Just doing a "reality check" I guess. Am I sad? Am I depressed? How do I know the difference??

Hi - I knew I was depressed when I was continually sad, low, crying, didn't want to eat, didn't want to see people, didn't care about anything, felt numb, didn't really have much emotions at all. This persisted more than a few days, and nothing anyone did could bring me out of it. Even a good comedy on TV couldn't make me smile. So i talked to my doctor, and he put me on an antidepressant. I also went into therapy and after digging into the past, I realized that I'd been depressed most of my life - even as a child. You get "used" to it after it's been with you for so long, that it seems like normal behavior.

Don't let it become normal behavior for you. See your doctor and talk to him. Perhaps it's just temporary - or maybe it's not. God bless and take care. Hugs, Lee

dear radio_flyer,

here is an excellent web site that explains depression, and it does include "constant sadness" as a symptom. take care. do you have a doctor that can help you?

http://www.pristiq.com/depression_symptoms.aspx

I think DancingAlone posted a really excellent link. I am fairly certain that the key to diagnosing depression is the length of those symptoms; if your sadness persists for at least two weeks, along with other symptoms, then it's not "normal" sadness. Still, it could be situational depression, meaning that with the help of therapy and possibly medication, you won't feel that way for more than six months or so. I'm no psychologist, though.

My mom was the one to suggest seeing a therapist; I didn't realize that I was depressed until she pointed it out. I was feeling sad, worthless, and not attending school. Being extremely sad because a friend/family member died or you lost a job is "normal," but it could still put you into a depression. Being sad or numb unceasingly--at times, for no obvious reason--likely means that you are depressed, as well.

Best of luck to you, radio flyer! I hope you sort everything out soon!

it's a website of drug company, though. Take with HUGE grain of salt.

Often the constant sadness is caused by something missing in our lifes. By being unfulliled... but it's you how has to find out what it is. Please consider this aspect too. Sometimes we get swayed in the wrong direction in our lifes. Sadness is a sign something is wrong... curing the symptom will not help the cause.

i apologize for posting a web site that contains advertisements that may slant the information provided. sadly, this one does too, it's the way of the internet i guess, but it's main focus is the definitive definition and criteria for major depression according to the DSM IV (the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).

http://depression.about.com/cs/diagnosis/a/mdd.htm

there is a link at the bottom for an article about "is it depression or sadness?" hopefully this may be more helpful.

Thanks, the other site makes much more sense... the first one... the symptoms are terribly simplified.

still these need to be viewed in context.

Am sorry I don't have a lot to say right now. All I want to do is sleep and cover my head with a blanket. Maybe I will feel better after a nap or a day of sleeping...

Thanks everyone...

hey there radio flyer

Here's what I think:
the only way to get the label "depression" is really through a therapist/doctor, etc.

Although the difference between sadness and depression can be found online, it really depends on the person. I think sadness is passing, it's an emotion. Some people say depression is when you're sad for no reason. Also for long periods of time. Or never stopping. Or even when it gets in the way of your life. Sometimes I've heard periods of mourning for a loved one that last a long time a bout of depression.

What I suggest is not to worry about labels. Worry about you and what you need, and what you want in your life. And how to feel better.

Take care and good luck!

Thats a good question I wanted too know the same thing cause sometimes I be really sad for no reason .Even If I have money or not .huggs thanks for asking this question

Sadness is not in the DSM-IV but Depression and Dysthymia is there.

Thanks kikki...Maybe we are sometimes just sad. Not sure if we always have to have a reason to feel sad. I just know that sometimes even when things are going "good" I can feel sad as well as feeling sad when things are going not so good..Maybe I will do an online search on "sad" and see what I come up with. If I find anything helpful I will post it here.
.

Thanks Mustkeepajob

http://psychcentral.com/disorders/depression/
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dep...5/METHOD=print
http://www.medicinenet.com/depression/article.htm
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/ma...ticlekey=55144

Yeah cool

thanks Byzantine... good links. very helpful too!