How do I know if what I'm experiencing is depression or just sadness?

This is an excellent question that many people grapple with, and it's important to understand the distinction because it can guide you toward the most appropriate support and care. While sadness is a normal human emotion that everyone experiences, Major depressive disorder is a clinical condition that involves persistent changes in mood, thinking, and functioning that significantly impact your daily life. Sadness typically occurs in response to specific events or circumstances, such as loss, disappointment, or Psychological stress. It tends to be temporary and proportional to the situation that triggered it. You might feel sad about a breakup, job loss, or conflict with a friend, but you can still find moments of joy, maintain your usual activities, and generally function in your daily life. Sadness often lessens over time as you process the situation or as circumstances improve. Major depressive disorder, on the other hand, involves a persistent low mood that lasts for at least two weeks and is accompanied by other symptoms that interfere with your ability to work, study, sleep quality, eat, and enjoy activities you once found pleasurable. These symptoms might include feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or excessive dealing with guilt; significant changes in appetite or sleep problems patterns; fatigue or loss of energy; difficulty concentrating or making decisions; and in some cases, thoughts of death or suicide. One key difference is that Major depressive disorder often feels disproportionate to your circumstances. You might feel deeply sad even when things in your life are going well, or you might find that normal coping strategies that usually help with sadness aren't effective. Major depressive disorder can also involve a sense of numbness or emptiness rather than just sadness. If you're unsure about what you're experiencing, consider keeping a mood journal for a week or two, noting your feelings, energy levels, sleep quality patterns, and daily functioning. This can help you identify patterns and provide valuable information if you decide to speak with a healthcare provider. Remember that seeking professional guidance doesn't require you to have a definitive answer about whether you're experiencing Major depressive disorder—mental health professionals are trained to help you understand what you're going through and determine the best path forward.