Name: Guia Mae V.
Estellena Course/Year/Section: CO_1 – H February 8, 2019
Teacher’s Name: Mr. Joebert P. de los Santos, Ph.D.
Topic Outline
Topic/Title: Depression vs. Sadness: What’s the Difference?
Thesis Statement: The confusion to tell the difference between depression and sadness leads
us to neglect a more serious condition that requires treatment.
I. Introduction
II. Sadness
A. Sadness as normal human emotion
B. Sadness as an integral part of depression
III. Depression
A. Depression as an abnormal emotional state
B. The struggle identifying depression
IV. Diagnosis of Depression
A. Symptoms of depression
B. Seeking help to cure depression
V. Conclusion
Name: Guia Mae V. Estellena Course/Year/Section: CO_1 – H February 8, 2019
Teacher’s Name: Mr. Joebert P. de los Santos, Ph.D.
Argumentative Paper
Depression vs. Sadness: What’s the Difference?
Everyone experiences sadness and unhappiness at some point in their lives. Depression,
however, is more intense and of longer duration than typical sadness or grief, which interferes with
a person's ability to engage in daily activities. Many people struggling with depression thought
they were merely sad and many people who were extremely sad worry they might be depressed.
Our confusion can lead us to neglect a serious condition that requires treatment—depression or,
on the other end of the spectrum, overreact to a normative emotional state—sadness.
Sadness is a normal human emotion that all people feel at certain times during their lives
(Whelan, 2016). Feeling sad is a natural reaction to situations that cause emotional upset or pain.
But like other emotions, sadness is temporary and fades with time, when we’ve adjusted or gotten
over the loss or disappointment. In this way, sadness differs from depression but associated with
this mental illness. Sadness is an integral part of depression as it is one of the core symptoms. Its
clinical importance for this condition has been attested to by various studies (Bayle, 2008).
Depression, on the other hand, is an abnormal emotional state that affects thinking,
emotions, perceptions, and behaviors in pervasive and chronic ways (Winch, 2015). Depression
does not necessarily require a difficult event or situation, a loss, or a change of circumstance as a
trigger. In fact, it often occurs in the absence of any such triggers. As we associate depression with
its primary symptom of pervasive sadness, many of us struggle to tell the difference between these
two common psychological states. One of the more unfortunate consequences of this confusion is
how people struggling with depression are often expected to "snap out of it," and are told "it’s all
in your head," or "choose to be happy!" Such sentiments reflect a deep misunderstanding of
depression. It only makes the person with depression feel worse.
Depression varies from person to person, but there are some common signs and symptoms.
Symptoms may include constant feelings of sadness, irritability, fatigue, changes in sleeping or
eating patterns, difficulty concentrating, loss of interest and enthusiasm for things which used to
provide pleasure, unwarranted guilt, feelings of worthlessness, constant thoughts about death, and
suicidal thoughts or actions (Smith, 2018). But there are many treatments that benefit most people.
It is important to seek the counsel of a trained mental health professional for diagnosis and
treatment. The doctor will use several diagnostic tools to help distinguish between sadness and
depression.
Depression is one of the most common conditions in primary care, but is often
unrecognized, undiagnosed, and untreated. Knowing the difference between sadness and
depression may help to understand one’s condition, thus, preventing more complex social issues
like suicide.
References
Bayle, F. (2008). Sadness as integral part od depression. Bethesda.U.S.A.: Dialogues in Clinical
Neuroscience.
Smith, M. (2018). Depression Symptoms and Warning Signs. Santa Monica, California: Help
Guide Organization International
Whelan, C. (2016). Is it Depression or Sadness? Learn the Signs. Brooklyn, New York: Healthline
Media
Winch, G. (2015). The Important Difference Between Sadness and Depression. U.S.A.: Sussex
Publishers.
