Have you noticed that being depressed seems to be almost trending nowadays?
It’s true that rates of depression have risen in recent years, but so has the dangerous trend of self-diagnosing.
Many people could much better protect their mental health by simply asking the question, “why am I depressed?” and looking to recent events, lifestyle patterns, and social experiences in their lives, than attempting to self-diagnose.
In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at depression and discuss how being depressed is different from having depression or being sad. We’ll give you the top signs and symptoms to look out for in yourself or someone you love.
Why the distinction is important
Many people use extremities, exaggerations and distinct words interchangeably that perpetuate the spreading of harmful misinformation. One of the most common ways this happens is with mental illnesses. For example, when someone says they’re depressed when they’re actually sad, or that they’re bipolar when they’re simply experiencing natural mood fluctuations.
It’s not their fault, they might have learned that mentality through someone else who was perhaps unintentionally spreading misinformation. Unfortunately, now they’re inadvertently doing the same thing.
Inaccurately diagnosing yourself, especially with an illness as serious as depression, can contribute to the deterioration of your mental health. This occurs as you cause yourself to bear the burden of a phantom illness.
Having a clear understanding of the difference between being depressed and having depression can be a key factor in either relieving
Depressed vs Depression
Depression is not a feeling, but a mental disorder. When people say they’re feeling depressed, what they really mean is they feel sad or down, but society has instilled in many of us the habit of using those two words interchangeably.
There is a difference between being depressed and having depression though.
Being depressed — better phrased as feeling sad — is a temporary and normal reaction to events that have caused you some sort of emotional pain. What most people mean when they say they’re feeling depressed is they’ve been feeling low lately. That feeling usually goes away on its own and doesn’t really impact their lives in any major way.
Depression is a long-term mental illness that’s characterized by intense feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness or despair. These intense feelings usually are paired with self-harming, destructive or manipulative behaviors. It negatively impacts the way you think, feel and as a result of those two things, also influences how you act. Individuals who have depression experience distorted or overly dark perspectives of their lives and the world around them.
Knowing the difference between feeling sad and having depression is important because it can help you recognize in yourself or others when concerning signs are being exhibited.
Depressed symptoms
The symptoms of depression in men can manifest differently than they do in women, not only because of biological factors such as hormones and brain chemistry but also due to the fact that the majority of men still attempt to ignore or suppress their mental health.
There are, however, some common symptoms that are exhibited by both men and women who are struggling with depression and are easily recognizable.
These symptoms include:
- Barely sleeping, or sleeping too much
- Disinterest in favorite hobbies or activities
- Thoughts and vocalizations of death, self-harm and suicide
- Careless or reckless behaviors
- Sudden physical symptoms such as head or body ache with no obvious cause (such as exercise or injury)
When left untreated the effects of depression can be dangerous to one’s safety and even fatal. If you recognize the above symptoms in yourself or someone you love, reach out to us.
Receive confidential support today
Pyramid is a leading organization in behavioral healthcare, one that offers personalized therapy, rehabilitation and other telehealth services to help individuals reclaim their vivacity for life.
Our team of compassionate individuals is committed to keeping client-focused care at the center of all of our treatment plans so that we can best identify your needs and provide the best solutions for you.
To learn more about which of our programs might be a good fit for you, call our office today at 888-694-9996.