It is essential to differentiate between normal sadness and symptoms of serious depression.

Sadness differs from depression because of its transient nature. While sadness is short-lived, depression lasts much longer and has profound effects on an individual's ability to function in daily life. Sadness is an emotion, but depression is a mental illness.

If you aren’t sure whether you are sad or depressed, the best thing you can do is to find a mental health provider to help you feel better.