# What is depression, and how is it different from sadness?

URL: https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/what-is-depression
For: Patients | Mental health care | Last reviewed 23 July 2026

**Answer:** Sadness is a normal response to loss or difficulty. It often comes in waves, stays linked to a specific event and eases with time and support. Depression is a broader, more persistent pattern of low mood or loss of interest, with changes in energy, sleep, appetite, concentration, self-worth and daily functioning. Some people mainly notice irritability or physical symptoms. Depression is not a weakness, and people of any age can improve with support.

### Signs that may point to depression

- Low mood or loss of interest most of the time.
- Changes in sleep, appetite or energy, and slowed or restless movement.
- Poor concentration, guilt, hopelessness or withdrawal from others.
- Thoughts of death, which should always be taken seriously.

### Grief, assessment and support

Grief and depression can overlap, so careful assessment matters. A clinician will consider duration, severity, daily impact, physical illness, medicines, substance use and other conditions; a fixed timeline alone does not decide a diagnosis. You do not need to prove that sadness is depression before asking for help. Support may include psychological therapy, practical help and medication when appropriate. Children and older adults can be affected too, sometimes in different ways.

> **Important:** Suicidal intent, inability to stay safe, severe self-neglect, psychosis or rapidly worsening symptoms requires urgent local assessment.

> **Important:** If there is immediate danger or a medical emergency, contact emergency services now. In Kenya, call 999, 112 or 911. Outside Kenya, use the emergency number for your location.

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