Depression Therapy in Richmond
A common question people have when they come to therapy is, "How can I tell if I'm depressed or just sad?"
Many people do not understand the difference between sadness and depression, leading them to use "sadness strategies" to comfort someone with depression -- for example, telling them to "cheer up!" or reminding them of everything good in their life.
Sadness is an important emotion. Without sadness, we would never be able to feel joy. But unlike depression, sadness is temporary and, many times, circumstantial. When the event causing our sadness eventually passes, our sad feelings fade, and our mood lifts.
Alternatively, depression can feel like there is no end in sight. By definition, it must last for a period of at least two weeks. When we are sad, we can often keep our sadness in perspective, reminding ourselves that it will pass -- but depression can cause an attitude of hopelessness, leading many to believe that they will never be able to experience joy again.
You might confuse sadness with depression if you think that feeling sad or down is the only emotion associated with depression. However, depression often leads to feelings of worthlessness, guilt, and numbness on top of low mood.
While sadness is a natural emotion, depression is a serious condition that gets in the way of leading a full life. If you are still unsure if you are suffering from depression, contact Life by Design Therapy to learn more about the difference between feeling sad and feeling depressed.
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