Being sad is different from being depressed, because sadness is a normal feeling for anyone, being an uncomfortable state generated by situations such as disappointment, unpleasant memories or the end of a relationship, for example, that is fleeting and does not need treatment.
Depression, on the other hand, is a condition that affects mood, generating deep, persistent and disproportionate sadness that lasts more than 2 weeks, and has no valid reason to occur, in addition, depression can be accompanied by additional physical symptoms, such as decreased attention, weight loss and sleep disturbances, for example.
- These differences can be subtle or even difficult to perceive.
- So if sadness persists for more than 14 days it is important to undergo a medical evaluation.
- Which can determine whether there is depression and guide treatment.
- Including antidepressant use and psychotherapy.
- Sessions.
Despite sharing many similar symptoms, there are some differences between depression and sadness, which need to be taken into account for better identification:
If you think you are really depressed, take the test below and see what your risk is:
It is important to differentiate depression by a case of grief, after the loss of something or a loved one, because it is a situation that can present a deep sadness that persists for several months or even a year, but that, has a justification, has oscillating feelings and this is aggravated by the memory of the loss.Although bereavement is an adaptive response to loss, it is possible that the person cannot recover, and it is very common for grief to become persistent and depression, but this does not characterize depression until the person died more than a year ago.
To be depressed, a person must have at least 2 of the following main symptoms of depression for more than 14 days:
Other very common secondary symptoms of depression include
Diagnosis of depression can be made by a doctor, preferably a psychiatrist or psychologist, who can classify depression according to its severity, which varies with the number of symptoms present.
Depression can be classified as follows:
After diagnosis, your doctor may guide the treatment, which should be appropriate to the symptoms present.
Depression treatment is done with the use of antidepressant medications recommended by the psychiatrist and psychotherapy sessions are usually done weekly with a psychologist.
The use of antidepressants is not addictive and should be used for as long as necessary for the person to be treated, usually its use should persist for at least 6 months to 1 year after symptoms have improved and, if there has been a second episode.depression, it is recommended to use it for at least 2 years.Understand which antidepressants are most common and how they are used.
In severe or non-improving cases, or after the third episode of depression, consider using the drug for life, without additional complications from prolonged use.
However, it should be noted that to improve the quality of life of the person, it is not enough to take simply anxiolytics and antidepressants, it is important to be accompanied by a psychologist, sessions can be done once a week until the person is completely cured of depression.Exercising, finding new activities, and looking for new motivations are important guidelines that will help you get out of depression.