Depression vs. Feeling Depressed: Understanding the Difference

Depression (noun):

- A mental illness characterized by a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable.

- Typically accompanied by other symptoms such as fatigue, changes in appetite or sleep, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and difficulty in thinking or concentrating.

Being depressed (feeling/state):

- Describes a temporary state of feeling sad or low.

- Can be a normal reaction to difficult life events or circumstances.

- Does not necessarily indicate a mental illness.