It is normal for anyone to feel down or blue during the trying and difficult events in life. However, occasional feelings of sadness are very different from serious cases of depression. Clinical depression triggers millions of people worldwide, and as statistics for this type of mood disorder continuously increases each year, awareness programs and movements are also expanding to aid those who are suffering from such illness.
Defining depression and occasional sadness
Sadness is a part of life. One cannot go through life without experiencing the ups and downs of moods. It is a normal reaction of humans to frustrations, disappointments, and struggles in life. Sadness, however, should only be transitory. This means that low moods or painful feelings are not permanent, for everyone eventually moves on.
On the other hand, clinical depression is characterized as a persistent or continuous feeling of sadness or down moment that significantly interferes with a persons everyday life and productivity. This condition is frequently confused with sadness for its symptoms and causes are basically the same with the latter. ...