Sadness

The difference between feeling sad or down in the dumps and clinical depression has to do with how long you feel down, and the impact of your emotions on your daily life and relationships. Feeling blue for longer than two weeks and feeling like your mood is interfering with your life are signs of clinical depression that need to be shared with a health professional. Clinical depression can also include changes in eating and sleeping habits, lack of focus and energy, and difficulty feeling any positive emotions. Clinical depression often reoccurs and may get worse.

For more about depression and its treatment, see our article: http://www.cfah.org/hbns/preparedpatient/Vol3/Prepared-Patient-Vol3-Issue1.cfm
The difference between feeling sad or down in the dumps and clinical depression has to do with how long you feel down, and the impact of your emotions on your daily life and relationships. Feeling blue for longer than two weeks and feeling like your mood is interfering with your life are signs of clinical depression that need to be shared with a health professional. Clinical depression can also include changes in eating and sleeping habits, lack of focus and energy, and difficulty feeling any positive emotions. Clinical depression often reoccurs and may get worse.

For more about depression and its treatment, see our article: http://www.cfah.org/hbns/preparedpatient/Vol3/Prepared-Patient-Vol3-Issue1.cfm

Agree with above. Depression is not a one size fits all diagnosis. It can be low-grade, lifelong or it can be situational seeming to stem from current stresses and disappointments. You hear it described as "anger turned inward." Perhaps seeing it as a disconnect from anger would be more accurate. As a depressed person realizes they are depressed, healing can begin. The most helpful thing for many of my patients is to find the one person or thing they will not stop loving. The one person or thing they are committed to have a good impact on. Sometimes improvement comes after taking some life-giving step, like adopting a good change in diet, no matter how small. Or perhaps, getting outside and going for a walk every morning, no matter what. Healing seems to almost always require putting feelings into words. And that takes time. To me, depression is the result of sadness that is not grieved, released. Sadness is often the result of loss. Long term sadness leads to depression and hopelessness. Depression is statistically related... more to the incidence of cancer. What is happening at the emotional level is reflected at the physical level. A depressed person has a depressed immune system. DRJK at http://drjaykantor.com/" target=_blank>http://DrJayKantor.Com .

To me, depression is the result of sadness that is not grieved, released. Sadness is often related to loss. Long term sadness leads to depression and hopelessness. Depression is statistically related to the incidence of cancer. What is happening at the emotional level is reflected at the physical level. A depressed person has a depressed immune system. DRJK at http://DrJayKantor.Com .
The symptoms of clinical depression include:

- inability to cope - not able to make everyday decisions
- overwhelming feeling of helplessness and hopelessness
- not wanting to move or get up
- inability to concentrate
- memory problems
- panic attacks
- weeping and crying
- loss of pleasure in what used to make you happy
- lack of interest in sex or food
- sleep problems
- thoughts of death and/or suicide
- decreased energy, fatigue
- restlessness, irritability
- physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment such as chronic pain, headaches, and digestive disorders

First and foremost it is crucial to determine if you are clinically depressed or suffering from fatigue and sadness.

Sadness is a normal emotional feeling and part of life. Sadness may turn into depression. Be aware of being sad for too long and experiencing other symptoms of depression.

Fatigue is the feeling of tiredness and lack of energy. It is usually short lived. If it last longer than 2 weeks, you should inform your physician. Also watch out for other symptoms of depression.

Breast cancer diagnosis and treatment causes significant anxiety and stress, which may result in sadness, fatigue, or depression. This is a natural response. If a person is having difficulty with regular daily life activities for more than a couple of weeks and experiencing any of the above symptoms, they should notify their physician.

The answers above are reflective of what I know to be true about depression--in my field we call it "as if" behavior. If you feel like you can't move or can't cope, behaving as if it were not true can frequently be a key to at least temporary relief.

Even smiling when you don't feel like actually has physiological benefits to it! Research has shown that smiling releases endorphins cued by the facial muscles involved in creating the smile (not to mention boosting your immune system as well!)

Any behavior outside of the normal range of depressive behaviors destabalizes the depression. Here are some habits to form to help deal with depression:
- As hard as it may be, the important thing to do is get out of bed and get going.
- Exercising is important. Find a friend to exercise with, join a wellness center, an exercise gym and devote at least 4 times a week or more.
- Decide what you have always wanted to learn to do, such as hobbies, classes, and so on and sign up.
- Eat healthy and get a good night sleep.
- It is important to change your attitude to be more positive and develop friendships with positive people. Replace sad thoughts with positive ones.
- Use positive affirmation.
- Make decisions and try not to procrastinate. Don't think about what you are going to do, just do it.
- Volunteer at an organization or help someone. This may make you feel better as well as help someone else.
- Consult your physician with your symptoms. Physicians may prescribe antidepressant medication.