Museum
Depression vs Sadness
A Passer-by notices and kindly asks:
“Hello my friend. How are you?”
“I’m not happy.” Depressed Little Prince replies.
“I’m indeed upset.”
“Um…”
“So…Are you Depressed Little Prince?” The passer-by asks.
Depressed Little Prince answers, “Perhaps I am merely sad.”
Differences between Sadness and Depression| Sadness | Depression |
| An ordinary emotional reaction to adversities such as loss or disappointment. It is nonetheless normal and acceptable provided that the response and perception remain realistic, logical, and undistorted. | Thoughts and perception are distorted in some ways. The effects of such distortion can be a serious burden. |
| An explicit sadness which one understands that there is a way out, either knowingly or unconsciously, and that the sadness will go away. | A feeling of a never-ending unhappiness. |
| Alleviate the blues by diverting attention to other things. | At least two weeks of incessant barrage of depressive thoughts. |
| Grieve goes away eventually; the low mood does little to one’s self-esteem. | Depressive symptoms tend to persist or recur, causing harm to one’s self-esteem |
| Does not affect much on interpersonal relationships, or performance at school or at work. | Affects interpersonal relationships, performance at school or at work significantly. |