Stress is an inescapable byproduct of the 21st-Century fast-paced lifestyle. However, stress is not always a harmful thing. To some extent, being stressed is a very normal human reaction to problems and in a healthy situation, stress should go away by solving them.

However, when stress becomes a constant feeling, it indicates serious mental health concerns. Generally, this stress is what gradually leads to depression.

Stress, anxiety, sadness and depression can look very similar to each other to a great extent. This is why people often confuse one with the other.

Here are 5 important differences between sadness and clinical depression, formulated by Dr. MNC PathLab, super specialty polyclinic in Hooghly:

  1. Timespan: While sadness is an intense emotion, it usually does not last for more than a day or two at a stretch. Depression on the other hand, lingers in the person’s mind like an eternal feeling of sadness. If a person feels this way for more than two weeks at a stretch, they can be diagnosed with clinical depression.

  2. Intensity: In the case of sadness, one can usually identify the cause or causes behind it. However, in the case of depression-induced sadness, the feeling of nothingness, despair, sadness, numbness and hopelessness become all-pervasive, robbing the person of any form of happiness or pleasure.

  3. Physical Symptoms: While sadness can cause physical pain or discomfort for a short amount of time, long-term depression can have very serious harmful effects on the body. Obesity, food disorders, poor heart health, diabetes or serious anxiety disorders are some common consequences of long-term depression.

  4. Shift in the Perception of Reality: Sadness in general does not make the person feel hopeless towards themselves, their lives or everything around them for a substantial amount of time. On the other hand, people with depression have a complete shift in their perception of reality. They struggle to find anything good or positive or hopeful in anything around them.

  5. Anxiety: As one of the best, if not the best polyclinic in Hooghly, our doctors at Dr. MNC PathLab have seen numerous cases of patients suffering from anxiety. Extreme and crippling anxiety with multiple anxiety disorders is an extremely common side-effect of clinical depression.

As a renowned diagnostic center in Uttarpara, we at Dr. MNC PathLab have pledged to fight against the taboo against mental health. Taking care of the mind is as important as taking care of the body. If you think that you are suffering from depression or any of your loved ones are, do not hesitate to ask for help. Remember that there are people out there who care for you and will be able to help you overcome this battle.

Do not lose hope because no matter how dark it seems now, there is always light at the end of the tunnel. In case of more information, contact Dr. MNC PathLab.