Depression Vs. Sadness: What's The Difference? - Healthline

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HealthlineSubscribeIs It Depression or Sadness? Learn the Signs

Medically reviewed by Akilah Reynolds, PhD — Written by Corey Whelan — Updated on May 27, 2025

Symptoms
Risk factors
Diagnosis
Treatment
Outlook
Takeaway

Key Takeaways

Sadness is a temporary emotion triggered by upsetting events, whereas depression is a persistent mental health condition that affects various aspects of life. See a doctor if your sadness lasts more than 2 weeks.
Risk factors like traumatic events, family history, and medical conditions can increase the likelihood of depression, but a diagnosis requires assessment by a healthcare professional using the DSM-5 criteria.
Both sadness and depression can be managed through lifestyle changes. However, depression often requires additional interventions, such as therapy or medication, to help with recovery and healing.

Feeling sad is a natural reaction to situations that cause emotional upset or pain. There are varying degrees of sadness, but like other emotions, it fades with time.

In this way, sadness differs from depression.

Depression is a longer-term medical condition. It impacts social, occupational, and other areas of functioning. Left without proper management, symptoms of depression may persist.

Sadness and depression symptoms

If you’re sad, it may sometimes feel all-encompassing. But you should also have moments when you can laugh or be comforted.

Depression differs from this. The feelings you have will affect all aspects of your life. It may be hard or even impossible to find enjoyment in anything, including activities you typically enjoy (anhedonia).

Symptoms of depression may include:

constant feelings of sadness
irritability
fatigue
changes to sleeping or eating patterns
concentration issues
feelings of deep, unwarranted guilt
physical symptoms, such as body aches that don’t have a specific cause
feelings of worthlessness
suicidal thoughts or actions

You may have some of these symptoms if you are sad, but they shouldn’t last for more than 2 weeks. Suicidal thoughts are most often a sign of depression, not sadness.

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Depression risk factors

Sadness is a common emotion. People of any age may feel sad at certain times, such as after the death of a loved one or the loss of a job.

Prolonged or persistent sadness, however, may be a risk factor for depression.

Several other risk factors for depression exist, but having one or more doesn’t mean you will become depressed. Risk factors may include:

traumatic or devastating life events
family history of depression
history of substance misuse
living with a medical condition, such as cancer, stroke, chronic pain, or heart disease
living with body changes due to catastrophic injury, such as loss of limbs or paralysis
history of mental health disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and bipolar

Depression is also a possible side effect of some medications. If you’re concerned that a drug you take is affecting your mood, discuss it with your doctor. Some medications that might cause depression include:

beta-blockers
corticosteroids
hormone medications
statins

Talk with your doctor if you experience prolonged sadness that lasts for more than 2 weeks. Speak with emergency services to receive immediate medical help if you’re having suicidal thoughts.
Note if your feelings interfere with your ability to function or experience enjoyment. Speaking with a mental health professional or other trusted person can be a powerful first step toward recovery and getting the treatment you need.

Depression diagnosis

People of any age, gender, and race can receive a diagnosis of depression.

Your doctor will use several screening and diagnostic tools to help distinguish between sadness and depression. They’ll also want to talk about your symptoms. They’ll ask how you’re feeling and what your daily life is like.

Your doctor may perform a physical exam to determine any underlying health problems affecting your condition. This may include a blood test to determine if you have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).

Guide to the DSM-5 criteria for diagnosing depression

Mental health professionals use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) to provide a diagnosis of depression for those who meet the criteria. You cannot receive a diagnosis of sadness.

The DSM-5 criteria include nine potential symptoms of depression. The severity of each symptom is also weighed as part of the diagnostic process. The nine symptoms are:

feeling depressed throughout each day on most or all days
lack of interest and enjoyment in activities you used to find pleasurable
trouble sleeping, or sleeping too much
suppressed appetite or eating too much, coupled with weight gain or weight loss
irritability, restlessness, or agitation
extreme fatigue
unwarranted or exaggerated feelings of guilt or worthlessness
inability to concentrate or make decisions
suicidal thoughts or actions, or thinking a lot about death and dying

»More on this:How Is the DSM Used to Diagnose Depression?

Sadness and depression treatments

If you’re experiencing sadness, it can take up to 2 weeks before you feel better. In the meantime, some lifestyle changes may help:

Connect with other people, especially loved ones.
Build in time each day to do an activity that you enjoy.
Watch uplifting television shows or movies, or read a lighthearted book.
Engage in physical activity or sports.
If you enjoy the company of animals, spend time with a furry friend.
Try to limit your consumption of drugs and alcohol.
Treat yourself kindly by eating well and trying to get enough sleep.
If you have trouble sleeping, try creating or changing your bedtime routine.

Lifestyle changes may help you feel a little better if you’re experiencing depression. But these changes alone may not be enough.

Psychological counseling, also known as talk therapy, with a professional whom you trust may help. If you have suicidal thoughts, you can receive inpatient care by staying in a hospital or other therapeutic setting.

Another therapy for people with depression is cognitive behavioral therapy, which is touted as a highly effective therapy.

However, keep in mind that treatment approaches may differ depending on the expert that you connect with.

»Learn more:8 Tips from Experts on Searching for the Right Therapist

Medication

Your doctor or a psychiatrist may prescribe antidepressant medications. You and your doctor will decide which one you should try first, such as:

escitalopram
paroxetine
duloxetine
clomipramine
bupropion

Remember: Recovery is a process that requires some patience. You may need to try several medications before you find one that works best for you.

Sometimes, antidepressants may increase suicidal thoughts. It’s important that you let your doctor know immediately if you experience worsening depression.

»Learn more:Can My Doctor Prescribe Antidepressants?

Sadness and depression outlook

If you’re experiencing a period of sadness, you may begin to feel better within a couple of weeks with lifestyle changes and the help of a therapist, if you choose to speak with one.

Depression is also treatable. But simple lifestyle changes alone may not be enough to help you recover. You’ll likely need to partake in therapy or take medication, which research strongly suggests helps with symptoms.

No matter if you’re experiencing sadness or depression, allow yourself to get the help you need. If you feel that you can’t take the next step alone, try connecting with someone who can take that step with you.

For example, talk with a trusted family doctor. Or ask a friend or family member to go with you to your first appointment with a therapist. No matter how you’re feeling today, you deserve, and can achieve, hope and healing.

Takeaway

While sadness is an emotion that may fade after 2 weeks, if it lasts any longer, you may need to speak with your doctor or a mental health professional.

Any prolonged sadness may be a sign of depression, which is a medical condition.

Overcoming both sadness and depression will take effort. Here are some more tips to try to help you manage both:

Wake up at the same time each day. Maintaining a routine that includes self-care can help make life more manageable.
Add some physical activity to your routine. It can help boost your mood and improve your health.
Enjoy the company of others. Spend some time each day with a trusted friend or loved one.
Participate in activities you enjoy, or try new activities that interest you. Having something to look forward to can help boost your mood.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Chand SP, et al. (2023). Depression.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430847/
Cuijpers P, et al. (2020). Treatment outcomes for depression: Challenges and opportunities.https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(20)30036-5/fulltext
Gautam M, et al. (2020). Cognitive behavioral therapy for depression.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7001356/
Qato DM, et al. (2018). Prevalence of prescription medications with depression as a potential adverse effect among adults in the United States.https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2684607
Totentino JC, et al. (2018). DSM-5 criteria and depression severity: Implications for clinical practice.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6176119/
What is depression? (2024).https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression

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Medically reviewed by Akilah Reynolds, PhD — Written by Corey Whelan — Updated on May 27, 2025

Depression Vs. Sadness: What's The Difference? - Healthline

Key Takeaways

Sadness and depression symptoms

Help is out there

Depression risk factors

Depression diagnosis

Guide to the DSM-5 criteria for diagnosing depression

Sadness and depression treatments

Medication

Sadness and depression outlook

Takeaway

How we reviewed this article:

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