Sadness vs Depression

Psalm 145:14 - The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.

​The phone rings and it’s one of your friends. You pick up the phone. She weeps as she tells you that she just found out her mom has cancer. It’s like someone punched you in the gut as you listen to her cry. All day you think of your friend and feel your heart breaking for her.
 
You walk out your door to go get the mail when you see one of your neighbors being taken out of their apartment on a gurney by two EMTs. You worry that this may be the last straw and your neighbor will no longer be able to live alone.
 
Arriving at work, you notice that your boss isn’t in his office. You ask around and find out that he was in a car accident on the way to work and is in the hospital and he may be permanently disabled. Though you may not always like what your boss does, your heart goes out to him just the same to think of him and all he’s lost this day.
 
This is the face of sadness. Usually it’s connected to an event that’s happened either recently or in the past.
 
You arise in the morning and slip your feet over the edge of your bed, then stop, and climb back into bed. You turn your head towards the wall not caring if you ever get out of bed.
 
Another day, you start one of your favorite projects, then, step away from your work table and sit down on the couch instead.
 
Later, your phone rings but you refuse to pick it up. You know it’s a friend reminding you of the birthday party you’re you were going to attend, but you decide not to go.
 
This is the face of depression. Usually you’re unable to find why it is that you have this overwhelming feeling of hopelessness.
 
Why is it so important for you to understand the difference between sadness and depression? This is because you need to know how to approach each one differently to find healing.
 
You'll find some of the differences between sadness and depression from healthline.com in their article, “Is it Depression or Sadness? Learn the Signs,”
such as sadness is temporary and fades with time, but depression is a longer-term mental illness.
 
You'll find some tips from lifehack.org on how to overcome sadness and depression in their article, “Fifteen Simple Ways to Overcome Depression and Sadness,” such as touch therapy and using more light.
 
Now that you know the difference between sadness and depression, it’s important if you show symptoms of depression to get help. This is something that you can’t get over on your own.
 
Remember that God can use the methods above to help you with depression, but he also uses doctors and therapists to help you find your way out from under the dark clouds.
 
If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Depressive Manic-Depressive Association (NDMDA) at 1-800-826-3632.

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